"Kogonada's Swept-Away Voyage": a rephrased account of Kogonada's journey
In the latest film by director Kogonada, "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" (French title: "Un beau grand voyage audacieux"), Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell star as Sarah and David, two characters who embark on a journey through nature. However, this movie promises an audacious journey but instead unfolds as a sentimental road film that rehashes an outdated and improbable vision of love.
The characters, Sarah and David, attract and repel each other out of fear of commitment. Their interactions are devoid of passion, saliva, and dirt, creating a distance that leaves viewers feeling detached. The opposition between the elusive blonde Robbie and the dark brooding brunette Farrell is a cliché that fails to captivate.
Robbie's character, Sarah, is charming but irritating with her constant smiling, while Farrell's character, David, is taciturn and depressed. There is no real romance in the film, and the memories depicted lack existential depth. They do not explore perspectives of a possible future, determinism, or the vertigo of choice.
The visuals in the film are impeccable, featuring carefully framed shots, designer clothes, vibrant colors, and a Burger King ad style. However, this cleanliness becomes a flaw as nothing goes beyond, resulting in a sterile movie that leaves viewers without emotional investment, without even the desire to believe in love.
The editing in the film alternates between reality and the past with mechanical regularity, leading to viewer disinterest. The plot, while following the characters as they take a journey through nature, lacks the momentum needed to keep viewers engaged.
Besides Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, the actors Calahan Skogman, Brandon Perea, and Billy Magnussen also appear in the film. Kogonada, an American filmmaker of South Korean origin, had established a reputation for poetic filmmaking with "Columbus" (2017) and "After Yang" (2021), known for architectural rigor, eloquent silences, and reflection on artificial intelligence. However, in "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey", his characters are portrayed as passive marionettes, reliving what they've already lived.
The question arises whether a screenplay can still be based on the idea that a couple would fall in love simply because they are both well-dressed. The film's trailer features colorful umbrella weddings, Wes Anderson-style symmetrical shots, and a lively rhythm, promising an audacious journey. However, the film fails to deliver on this promise, unfolding as a bland and uninspiring sentimental road movie.
