This is a period drama as they have to be.
Not a biographical drama, as the title might suggest.
This isn't about Goya, neither about his muse, nor the Spanish Court, nor the 'Holy Office' (ie: The Inquisition). This is just a big canvas about an era. Ojectively painted, well lighted and well balanced between the chief characters and the bystanders. The features of the selected actors deliver a touch of Goya's characters, and that is true from the vogon-like archbishop to the very last extra. The world is dark, intriguing and deceitful, yet it doesn't lack a sense of humour.
The plot is not as cohesive as you can get, but that's forgivable.
Goya is just an artist with no intention to be a champion of justice, but you forgive him as artists often go that way. He's just a chronicler, but he was damned good at it, wasn't he?
Ines is just a girl, and 'God bless her soul' she remains one forever,and you like her for it. I never thought about Natalie Portman as a capable actress, but as a worn off, tortured half-wit released from the dungeons I have to give her some kudos.
And 'father' Lorenzo is just a man, after all...and you can forgive him if you insist. I thought he's the ultimate opportunist turn-coat, but he managed to show some guts in the end, so I forgave him.
There's a bit much ingredient in the blender than most people will like, from religion to revolution to royal art-critics to tavern-ambiance to execution, but I liked the taste of the turmix"(Hungarian equivalent for (milk)shake, I just love this word) And again; this is a period drama, lapping up almost twenty years of turbulent history so it couldn't avoid to be a bit dense and rich.
Not a biographical drama, as the title might suggest.
This isn't about Goya, neither about his muse, nor the Spanish Court, nor the 'Holy Office' (ie: The Inquisition). This is just a big canvas about an era. Ojectively painted, well lighted and well balanced between the chief characters and the bystanders. The features of the selected actors deliver a touch of Goya's characters, and that is true from the vogon-like archbishop to the very last extra. The world is dark, intriguing and deceitful, yet it doesn't lack a sense of humour.
The plot is not as cohesive as you can get, but that's forgivable.
Goya is just an artist with no intention to be a champion of justice, but you forgive him as artists often go that way. He's just a chronicler, but he was damned good at it, wasn't he?
Ines is just a girl, and 'God bless her soul' she remains one forever,and you like her for it. I never thought about Natalie Portman as a capable actress, but as a worn off, tortured half-wit released from the dungeons I have to give her some kudos.
And 'father' Lorenzo is just a man, after all...and you can forgive him if you insist. I thought he's the ultimate opportunist turn-coat, but he managed to show some guts in the end, so I forgave him.
There's a bit much ingredient in the blender than most people will like, from religion to revolution to royal art-critics to tavern-ambiance to execution, but I liked the taste of the turmix"(Hungarian equivalent for (milk)shake, I just love this word) And again; this is a period drama, lapping up almost twenty years of turbulent history so it couldn't avoid to be a bit dense and rich.