A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Review

Directed By: Kogonada
Written By: Seth Reiss
Runtime: 108 minutes
MPA Rating: Rated R for language.

Colin Farrell – David
Margot Robbie – Sarah
Lily Rabe – Sarah’s Mother
Kevin Kline – The Mechanic
Phoebe Waller-Bridge – The Car Agency Cashier
Hamish Linklater – David’s Father
Jennifer Grant – David’s Mother
Jodie Turner-Smith – GPS

Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie star as would-be lovers in the new supernaturally themed romantic drama, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. Two lonely and single adults, David (Farrell) and Sarah (Robbie), share a meet-cute at a wedding they both attend stag. They seem to hit it off, but they are reluctant to pursue anything further. However, grander cosmic forces are at work and seek to bring these two lovebirds together.

Driving a 1994 Saturn, David and Sarah become intertwined after Sarah’s car breaks down, thrusting them on a journey across time as they discover magic doors that allow them to revisit key moments in their lives. Unfortunately, both struggle with relationships. David never got over his high school crush who broke his heart. Sarah always self-sabotages by cheating on her significant other when in a relationship. But perhaps that was meant to be; otherwise, they would not have been able to meet and experience their special journey. Unfortunately, the film is not as romantic as it sounds.

The most crucial aspect of any rom-com or romantic drama is the chemistry between the two leads. Regrettably, Farrell and Robbie’s onscreen pairing fails to create the explosive chemistry necessary for a romantic cinematic adventure. As romantic leads, Farrell and Robbie should drive the audience to root for the pair to overcome their baggage and fall in love. Robbie and Farrell lack that sizzling onscreen dynamic.

The other key aspect of a romantically minded cinematic pairing is the script. Is the dialogue sharp and witty? While Seth Reiss’ script boasts a strong premise, it falls decidedly flat. Director Kogonada similarly fails to bring the premise to life. The dialogue sounds blandly milquetoast, and the story leans too far toward becoming unappealingly maudlin.

Rather than delivering on its ostentatious title, David and Sarah’s journey unfolds in tepid fashion, and not much excitement occurs. The characters have no sense of awe and wonder at the fantastical experience developing around them. They quickly accept it and act like it’s an expected, everyday occurrence. None of the key moments in their respective pasts that David and Sarah explore appear especially profound or revelatory. In one of the remote rooms, Sarah and David tour around her favorite art museum. That is something that they could have experienced anytime, so the segment wastes the scene and the supernatural, time-traveling narrative device. The closest thing the movie features to a fun, somewhat whimsical moment is Farrell performing a number from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Farrell tries playing the mild-mannered everyman romantic lead, but his performance harkens back to the fact that Farrell never truly excels as the male lead or movie star, even though Hollywood attempted to position him as such for many years. Farrell succeeds far more in the vibrant character-actor slot. He’s never convincing enough as the romantic lead in a dramedy, but in his defense, the bland script and dialogue do not give him the juiciest material.

Even the supporting cast in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey strikes an underwhelming, low-energy force. Kevin Kline makes a welcome appearance in the movie as a helpful guardian angel of sorts, but the novelty wears off quickly. Kline comes off as bored and resigned, not displaying his usual sense of wry charisma and wit.

Ultimately, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey tells a story about the universe trying to bring two lonely individuals together, but Kogonada’s direction and Reiss’ script never show the audience why they must fall in love. Farrell and Robbie’s joint scenes fail to inspire that sense of rooting for that outcome. Rather than big and bold, the experience feels small and lukewarm.

4.5

The final score: review Poor

The 411

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Review unfortunately does not live up to its title as it's neither big, bold, nor especially beautiful. Solid actors fail to elevate a premise that's brimming with potential, and the film suffers from a stilted, clunky script. Farrell and Robbie are clearly trying, but they do not have much of a spark onscreen.