Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Haunting Film, 22 April 2008
This is a haunting, visually-striking, absorbing film. Set in Spain just before and then during the Napoleonic War it centres on the life and work of the celebrated artist Francisco Goya. Stellan Skarsgard turns in an excellent performance in this role, far from the sort we usually se him in, but in terms of impact the main character is the fanatic Lorenzo. Javier Bardem turns in a stellar performance as a softly-spoken well-mannered man who gives the impression of having a soft human side but who is capable of the most extreme cruelty (all for a higher cause, of course): the sort of man who over dinner will calmly explain that it is perfectly in order for the Inquisition to use confessions obtained by torture as proof of guilt because God will give the innocent the strength to withstand the pain. The relationship between these two men and the woman Ines (Natalie Portman) is really what the film is all about.
It is difficult to go into details about what happens without giving away some of the intricacies and issues of the plot, which is well-crafted and catches the spirit of a turbulent time and what it did to people. This is a pity, there is much one could say. But if you want a good, thought-provoking drama well presented it's worth watching. (Though if you're after a relaxed and happy film, this isn't it.)
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Impressive Historical Drama, 6 May 2007
I am somewhat surprised by the lukewarm reception that "Goya's Ghosts" has got from the critics.I thought that it was a captivating film, well acted in the main with excellent characterisation and frequently stunning cinematography.The historical backdrop of late 18th Century/early 19th Century Spain was interesting as well, featuring as it does the Spanish Inquisition and the Peninsular War. "Goya's Ghosts" is less a film about the renowned Spanish painter ,Francisco Goya, and more of a film about his friend, Brother Lorenzo, played superbly by Javier Bardem,a Spanish Inquisitor turned French occupier and his life of villainy and repression.Natalie Portman plays Ines, a beautiful friend of Goya's ,who acts as his muse; she is falsely accused of heresy by the Inquisition and is raped by Lorenzo after being cast down into their dungeons. Goya (played by Stellan Skarsgard) is often merely a peripheral observer in this film which mostly follows the career of Lorenzo and the plight of Ines over a fifteen year period. In this respect perhaps the film's title is a misleading one and a more appropriate one ought to have been found. However this shouldn't detract from the fact that "Goya's Ghosts" is an enjoyable ,entertaining historical drama which,in my opinion, is worthy of better reviews than it has received to date.
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11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Historical Spanish Drama, 8 May 2007
For me, knowing relatively little of the Spanish Inquisition and the Napoleonic invasion of Spain Goya's Ghosts was very informative as well as cinematically beautiful in virtually every frame. Poor Ines, the daughter of a wealthy merchant is imprisoned and tortured for refusing to eat some pork,forced to falsely admit keeping the Jewish faith, which was of course a crime to the religeous fundamentalists running the country. Goya, her portrait painter, becomes involved in the tragedy which unfolds. Fortunately for us Goya appears to have been the equivalent of a photo journalist of that era and made sketches for posterity. Why do they not show films like this in school? It would bring to life history, art and Spanish culture together in one two hour period. I am certainly going to have a fresh look at Goya's work for a start. Tremendous historical detail and good acting throughout.
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