"Goya's Ghost"
*** 1\2 (out of ****)
Milos Forman's "Goya's Ghost" has unfortunately received many harsh reviews both abroad and within the U.S. Why are so many critics content to belittle and bash some of our great filmmakers such as Milos Forman, Woody Allen and Francis Ford Coppola and yet praise the work of some new kid on the block?
Despite its title, "Goya's Ghost" is not actually about Goya. If you are looking for a biography on the famous Spainish painter's life, this is not the film for you. In which case I would recommend Carlos Saura's 2000 film, "Goya in Bordeaux".
According to Milos Forman, who has said repeatedly in interviews, he sees comparisons with this film and the current situation in Iraq. As much as I admire Mr. Forman, I believe he is overstating his film's case. Forman says the film comments on the United States stance or lack of on torture.
"Goya's Ghost" takes place around the time of the Spainish Inquisition. A time when Catholics and Protestants were at war with each other. The Catholic church was out to convert all others whom, in their eyes, were "sinners".
Brother Lorenzo (Javier Bardem) urges the church to show more restrait. Various paintings by Goya are being bought on the street which depicts the church in a cruel light. Brother Lorenzo feels the best way for the church to handle the situation is to not respond. But Brother Lorenzo is a man who does not practice what he teaches.
The church arrest a woman, Ines (Nathalie Portman) based on claims she is a practing Jew, when she is seen in public as refusing to eat pork. In order to get her to confess she is "put to the question", in other words tortured into confession. The church believes if a person is innocent, God will give them the power to withstand the pain for, the truth will set you free. If you are a God fearing person, you will not lie. Ines' father, Tomas Bilbatua (Jose Luis Gomez) becomes worried about his daughter, and in an act of revenge puts Lorenzo to the question to confess he is really a monkey. Needless to say, when tortured Lorenzo confesses he is in fact a monkey.
This however puts an end to the moral aspect of "Goya's Ghost", becomes then it settles for melodrama. Goya (Stellan Skarsgard) becomes an observer of Spain's history as he watches the Catholic church lose its power only to regain it once again. He even tries to help Ines get out of prison and help her once released.
Brother Lorenzo becomes a different man once forced into confession and abandons the church. Claiming to turn over a new leaf. But there are secrets in his past involving Ines.
"Goya's Ghost" is similar to another film I reviewed recently, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age". Both films roughly deal with same time frame, the Spainish Inquisition. And both films paint history with too broad a brush. But, I don't go to the movies for a history lesson. I go to be entertained. That is why I am recommending both films. But, if pressed for an answer, I will say "Goya's Ghost" is the better film.
Another flaw with the film might be the lack of a central character. The film juggles around many plot points and tries to interwine many of the characters. There is also a shift in tone, when the film goes into its final act.
But Forman's film is worth seeing. But not for the reasons Forman might lead you to believe. I saw no connection to our world. Instead, the film like a Goya painting, is simply beautiful to look it. I marveled at the cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe, who worked on "The Others" and Almodovar's "Talk to Her", currently he shoot Woody Allen's lastest film in Spain.
I also admired the art direction and set designs. These things in some ways over-powered the performances. No one really stands out in my mind, acting wise. Not to say the actors involved do not do an acceptable job. Skarsgard, Bardem and Portman are fine. And if anything Portman may slightly edge them out.
The film might also be Forman's best work in quite a while. It resembles his "Valmont" and "Amadeus" (only has far as costume and set design is concerned). It was the first film he has made which I actually had an interest to see after his "Man on the Moon" and "The People vs Larry Flynt".
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