Coming off respective career highs—Colin Farrell, with his universally lauded portrayal of Penguin and Margot Robbie for the 2023 pop-culture phenomenon Barbie— the first-time pairing of these two terrific actors makes A Big Bold Beautiful Journey all the more intriguing. When you add in the creative force of director Kogonada (Columbus) and scriptwriter Seth Reiss (The Menu), the film understandably holds very high expectations amongst cinephiles. Fortunately, what unfolds is a profound and magical slice-of-life tale that will leave its mark long after the credits roll.
The film follows David (Farrell) and fellow single stranger Sarah (Robbie) who embark on a journey that not only unites them but forces them to relive their pasts by going through magical doors. In doing so, they truly understand how they have arrived at their present situations, and more importantly, understand one another. It's a compelling tale that blends naturalism and madcap elements seamlessly, hooking audiences in from the word go.
Kogonada's drama kicks off when David rushes out his front door, on the phone to his parents, before being forced to hire a car to attend a wedding. It's a simple series of events, but the manner in which it unfolds expertly brings us into the film's slightly surreal world. From the natural panic of leaving home, David goes to a car rental company where he must comically open the door at a precise moment he's buzzed in. After finally doing so on the third try, he's greeted by a hilarious “Fuck, yeah!” from Phoebe Waller-Bridge's character, who later guides him to choosing a certain car with specific features, all while her words foreshadowing our protagonist's journey. Not only is the narrative's tone firmly established, but so is Farrell's character. The line “be open” uttered by his Dad immediately highlights David's state of mind and sudden shift when later choosing to accept the offer of an exciting adventure.
In one scene, David and Sarah sit atop a mountain overlooking a stunning view. They describe the setting as “beautifully strange,” which is an apt description of this entire film, as Kogonada's latest never sits in one space for too long. In one moment, audiences may marvel at the stunning (mostly practical) visuals, and then within minutes, be engrossed by Robbie and Farrell's charming yet grounded conversations about life. Other times, they may laugh out loud before crying moments later. The wonderful array of elements keeps the film going while living up to its title – a foundation that is brilliantly established within Reiss's screenplay.
Amidst the stunning visuals and outstanding performances, it's Reiss's writing that truly stands tall in this project. Whether it's the dialogue, the timely injection of humour, or its slow unpacking of our characters' internal struggles, the script seemingly inserts the right ingredients at every turn. A prime example of this is when our protagonists' journey commences, and they discuss how time passes in life. Sarah states that life feels short “when you're moving forward with something you don't want to end,” and when David asks how life feels now, she simply replies, “A little shorter.” It's an almost poetic manner of showcasing this blossoming love story, and the hope that these characters will have a happy ending. The screenplay is exemplary in so many ways, but there are moments where it can feel too on the nose.
Although the film's use of symbolism and foreshadowing is largely effective, it can overuse these tools. One too many lines alluding to our characters' future feel forced, and in turn, momentarily remove you from the narrative. There's a feeling that our creatives are trying to be too intelligent. However, this is a minor blip for an excellent 2-hour-plus film.
Overall, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a perfect illustration of when key filmmaking components are perfectly in sync and enhance one another. From Seth Reiss's terrific script, Kogonada's vision, and Robbie and Farrell's captivating performances, each ingredient feels essential while still in need of the others to truly soar. That makes this a powerful and ultimately heart-warming tale that captures the essence of life in a way that's universally relatable.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is in cinemas from 19 September
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