Goya's Ghosts Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

As much a political historical piece, as a biography of Goya.

If you are reading this because you might be interested in seeing period style semi-fact based dramas, this is brilliantly done, and should be a a mustn't miss for you !... If you are not completely into historically fascinating period pieces then this still might keep you interested, but you may find it a bit drawn out.

Highlighting the fluctuating fortunes of Spain in the 1800's, and the life of artist Goya appointed to the court of King Carlos IV, the film exposes the inquisition and its horrific 'witch hunt' inquisitors and the changes brought by the invasion by Napoleons French forces and onto the English who invaded shortly after.

It is as much an historical political piece as a biography of Goya, and is very good indeed at what it does. Well worth watching.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Highly enjoyable. 9/10

No major introduction needed here, this film was splendid, not too far from perfect, I know this without much analysis because both my wife and I for once were in silence whilst watching, believe me this is not a common occurrence! Set in Spain towards the end of the era of the Spanish Inquisition this historically fact based movie tells the story of Painter Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgård) and his involvement with a muse Ines (Natalie Portman) when she is accused of heresy. As the viewer you follow Goya, Ines’s family, the Spanish Royals and of course the Inquisition, in particular the chilling Lorenzo (Javier Bardem). The settings are well created realistic of the era to our best knowledge whilst the acting is of a good standard throughout and the plot a nicely blended balance of drama, suspense and history. Goya’s Ghost is very much a film we would recommend to the vast majority of potential viewers, Goya’s Ghost contains a few scenes of torture, or ‘The Question’ as well as some moderate nudity, nothing more than you might expect from the plot and the 15 rating. Highly enjoyable. 9/10. 5 Stars.

[Highly rated reviewer]

A brilliant insight into Spain's troubled history

The film utilizes Spanish court painter, Goya, as our 'eyes' into a world that, basically, shows how The Inquisition scarred Spanish history for many centuries. Set in the 18th Century at the demise of the institution due, in part, to French invasion, each key character represents an aspect of society - Brother Lorenzo represents oppresion (the Holy Office and the invading French). Ines (and Alicia) represent Spain itself (lacking power and totally subjugated by whomsoever is in power). The film is beautiful and the casting of individual characters as metaphors for aspects of Spanish society in this troubled period of history are quite haunting...the closing shot of the film showing Ines and children traversing up a Spanish street is touching suggesting (to me) the survival of the people (whatever the oppression) into a new Spain. Ironically, of course, more troubles were to come and thinking on this makes the film even more resonant in my view. The production quality is marvellous, the acting superb and the closing titles showing Goya's works is cleverly arranged into 'chapters' of Goya's darkest moods followed by lighter observations. An additional treat! Wonderful, I would watch it again. Its broad 'brushstroke' treatment of history succeeds brilliantly.

I was most pleasantly surprised

Good character acting and fine cinematography. It is a lovely and sensational movie that touched my heart very much. We are no angels, and there is no point in pretending to be some kind of God or Hero which you are not. But we are what we are! People who liked V for Vendetta shouldn't miss this.

THE COPY WAS AWFUL

It was quiet a good story but the copy was awful so it ruined the film.

Bit of a let down

I had high hopes for this film. It sounded good. The opening credits looked promising, but it was a real let down. Natalie Portman - a usually fine actress - is horribly miscast. The ending is flat. Not even worth a view in my opinion.

very real...

I want to say that I enjoyed this film. I was attracted to it because it's the first Milos Forman film for some time, and it had Javier Bardem and Natalie Portman, as well as other notable actors in it.

It portrays Goya's Spain with gut-wrenching reality, and the works of the inquisition even more so. The fate of poor Natalie is graphically painted. and yet...something didn't quite ring true. Javier the ham (in this case) as a monk who couldn't quite decide which side he was on, was all too chillingly evil, and light years away from other wonderful roles of his (like the damaged hero of The Sea Inside) I stayed until the end, I squirmed at the demise of our heroine (horrifyingly good make up) and the quite disturbing abuse inflicted, but it never quite became believable for all that. Disappointing. See it if you are an historical novel fan, but don't expect to understand fully the political background to this era, or to be any clearer about Goya the artist.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Excellent!!

A fascinating insightful movie...perfectly captues the period detail...lavish sets & costumes...wonderfully authentic...Great story told superbly & directed with aplomb by Milos Forman. Highly recommended..

A very realistic period piece worth watching

The drama begins in 1792, where the Spanish Inquisition has raised its ugly head once again. Javier Bardem portrays brother Lorenzo, an enigmatic and powerful Spanish catholic priest who becomes infatuated with Goya’s beautiful teenage muse, Ines - Natalie Portman. The Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard (Pirates of the Caribbean) does a nice job as Goya, who plays the political game with the Church and the royal family while secretly sketching subversive drawings of his people’s plight. I liked the costumes, melodic score and period detail was excellent. Be prepared for the film's most gruesome scenes of house-to-house rape and pillaging, during the closing episodes of British liberation of Napoleonized-Spain. If you liked “Girl with a Pearl Earring”, you will enjoy this.

very good

this was a very good film, if at times sad, it was well worth watching