Imagine if you could enter a door that takes you to a moment in time from your past, and you could revisit it as your current self? What if you meet a stranger and they must accompany you on said visit? A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a fantasy romance that follows two single strangers who meet at a friend’s wedding. Their paths lead them on an adventure through time as they are propelled back to some key moments in each of their lives that helped shape and mold who they are at the present time. Through a series of highs and lows, Sarah (Margot Robbie) and David (Colin Farrell) find themselves inadvertently learning about one another, potentially falling in love in the process.
Directed by Kogonada, the film has moments where you’re reminded of Danny Boyle’s A Life Less Ordinary from 1997. It’s whimsical with hints of song and dance that are just enough to make La La Land pop into your head. The cinematography, coupled with the soundtrack and bright and bold color palette, makes this a real treat for your eyes. On that note, Farrell and Robbie are two of the most attractive actors, and seeing them opposite one another with their flirty chemistry will have your cheeks hurting from smiling so much at the screen. Despite their 14-year age difference off-screen (Robbie is 35, Farrell is 49), it doesn’t translate or disturb the idea of what we see unfolding in the film. Farrell is as charming as ever and will make you think to yourself, “Gosh, I miss this guy in movies.” He is an extremely talented actor, one we haven’t seen in many romance flicks (only one that comes immediately to mind is Winter’s Tale), but he’s damn good at being a smooth leading man. He exudes confidence without even trying, whether it was in the script or not.
The more we got to know about Sarah, the more I kept thinking Robbie was an interesting casting choice. Her past is described as promiscuous and nothing of a lover girl, yet Robbie really gives off “a girl wanting to be swept off her feet”. Nonetheless, their dynamic works as you will find yourself rooting for the best outcome for them until the very end. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is such an interesting watch that you’ll be engaged the entire time, never looking at the time to see when it’s going to end (full transparency, that’s something I do very often, and this film didn’t have me even thinking about reaching for my phone. Speaking of reaching for your phone, no need to check IMDB: in case you’re wondering, yes, that is Kevin Klein.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey makes you think about your own past
The emotional piece has an underlying tone of regret that makes you think about moments in your past that you wish you could do over. The idea of losing a parent is a big part of Sarah’s story, and if you’ve experienced this loss in your own life (as I have), then you will yourself briefly rethinking how you’d spend those last moments with your loved one. And in that moment, you might even tune out what’s playing out on screen. It cuts deep and makes viewers really empathize with Sarah, and for that, writer Seth Reiss deserves his flowers.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is nothing like you’d expect it to be, as it takes you through unpredictable moments that make for a great watch. Come for the fun and heartfelt moments, stay for the blushing chemistry between Robbie and Farrell. It’s a unique take and a new idea that is refreshing in a time where book adaptations and IPs are dominating the movie industry.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is out in theaters September 19th.
Rating: 4/5
