El gran viaje tu vida

Greetings again from the darkness. I'm not normally the target market for romantic philosophy-of-life movies, so it seems apropos that one I connect with is likely to be labeled maudlin or sappy by others. Being a big fan of director Kogonada's underrated COLUMBUS (2017), I was interested to see him team up again with his AFTER YANG (2021) star Colin Farrell, in a blacklist script from writer Seth Reiss (THE MENU, 2022).

Matching Colin Farrell with Margot Robbie means that, at a minimum, beautiful movie stars will fill the screen. Beyond their stunning looks, both are extremely talented actors - Farrell has certainly honed his skill over the years, while Robbie is a modern day Grace Kelly. David and Sarah first meet each other at a wedding. The attraction is there, but this encounter ends awkwardly with each going their separate way. We learn they are quasi-miserable lonely souls who see little hope in finding a true soulmate - the message here being that nothing should be assumed until one's own soul-searching is complete.

The world's most bizarre Rental Car counter is staffed by two quirky characters played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge ("Fleabag") and Kevin Kline. A fantastical GPS system in their matching 1994 Saturns finds David and Sarah ordering the same 'fast food cheeseburger' at a roadside diner. This is step one in their titular journey ... so named as David screams it while driving. Now traveling in the same Saturn, this GPS directs them to a series of doors - each connected to some past moment of their lives. A red door leads to a lighthouse, another to a high school musical production, one to a special museum, and yet another to hospital visits. It's part trip down memory lane and part spiritual awakening.

What matters is that David and Sarah are sharing the journey with each other - good memories and bad. Stepping through the doors exposes bits of their life and personality that might take years for two in a relationship to discover, if ever they would. Dealing with one's own past is a first step in moving forward, much less in accepting another to share a life with. Regrets, missed opportunities, grief, and hurdles are all part of what make us who we are. Supporting cast members include Lily Rabe, Billy Magnussen, Jodi Turner-Smith, and Sarah Gadon. Hamish Linklater nails his one crucial scene as David's dad ... surprisingly, it's the film's best scene. Whether it's viewed as a search for one's own soul or for a soulmate, the film deals with the baggage that goes with being a grown-up.

Exclusively in theaters beginning September 19, 2025.

"A Big Bold Beautful Journey" is one of those movies that I can understand why someone else wouldn't like it, but that I enjoyed quite a bit, probably for the same reasons.

Having met at the wedding of a mutual friend, cynicism and emotional issues stop David (Colin Farrell) and Sarah (Margot Robbie) from taking a chance on each other. Having asked if he would like to go on a big bold beautiful adventure, Davids rental car satnav gets him to pick Sarah up, and together they embark on a trip, stopping at a series of doors, each of which takes them to a place in their individual history, where they can relive and examine the formative experiences, that make them who they are.

The film that "ABBBJ" most reminded me of was "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". I wouldn't say the film is as good as that one, but the ideas are similar. It's a real-world start, but with fantastical elements introduced that eventually start to undermine the reality of the events, and then even the idea of the film itself. That is where the film is going to lose you if you're not in the mood, or of the mindset to go along with it. It's also not, perhaps, quite as funny as the trailer might suggest it is - with it quickly shifting to David and Sarah talking, at length, about their faults.

Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie do have the chemistry that comes from both being amongst the most beautiful people that ever lived. The rest of the cast, including Kevin Kline, Lily Rabe and a fun turn from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who rings as much comedy from her role as she can, are also good. Special mention for Hamish Linklater though, who had me in tears in his scene, though that's something to do with my personal circumstances, alongside his good performance.

I do think it's going to be a film that you either love or hate, though the early box office just suggests an apathy to the whole endeavour which is disappointing.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a visually striking and introspective film that, for better or worse, lives up to the contemplative style of director Kogonada. The movie follows a unique premise, with two strangers (Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell) navigating their pasts through mysterious, magical doorways. Both actors deliver nuanced, compelling performances, anchoring the film with a quiet intensity. The cinematography is often breathtaking, and the film's gentle, melancholic score creates a dreamlike atmosphere.

However, the film's deliberate and unhurried pace is its most significant hurdle. While some will appreciate the slow-burn approach as a refreshing departure from standard Hollywood fare, others will find it frustratingly inert. The "journey" feels more like a series of disconnected, quiet moments than a cohesive narrative, and the refusal to rush its plot often makes the movie feel emotionally distant and slow. What could have been a truly epic and fantastical story is instead a muted, pensive character study. Ultimately, your enjoyment hinges on your patience for its meditative rhythm.

The movie had potential, but it dragged and leaned too hard on forced drama instead of good storytelling. The pacing was slow, the emotional beats felt manufactured, and the characters came across as more unlikeable than sympathetic.

The female lead is introduced sleeping with a random guy, which added nothing but more of the same "no consequences" messaging. Later, she's portrayed as a flake, while Colin's character is framed as a love bomber. Both arcs felt more like clichés than real people, which made the romance fall flat.

The time-travel concept could've been fun, but it lacked explanation and mostly served as a backdrop for heavy-handed "life lessons." Instead of feeling meaningful, it came across as another layer of negativity.

Overall, the film didn't deliver the lighthearted, funny tone the trailer promised. A few decent ideas here and there, but bogged down by pacing, messaging, and unlikable leads.

Final Verdict: 5/10 - interesting premise, poor execution.

Some people will hate it.

(I've read the reviews here, and they do) But if your interests encompass more than sequels and multiverses you could really like this. I didn't really know what to expect from the trailer it looks like a romcom and it isn't, really.

There is an interesting dynamic between the two of them, I really did feel like they were on that big bold beautiful journey, and that I got to travel some of it with them.

The family scenes with both characters will really hit home to anyone who remembers when they discovered that their parents were mortal.

Beautifully shot, a bit dark in the colour palette for me.

It's a film about grief, letting go and trying to move on.

I'm still thinking about it, and thinking I want to go see it again because I think I missed something that could help.