A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Is An Odd But Inviting Experiment in Romantic Fantasy

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We often say we want movies that are different and daring, but how do we react when those movies actually arrive? Kogonada’s film, *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey*, is a good example. It’s a romantic fantasy that doesn’t quite fit neatly into any category – it’s not quite a typical, feel-good romance, but it’s also not a fully experimental art film. It feels like it’s aiming for something more than it achieves. However, there’s a refreshing sincerity to it. The story centers on Sarah and David, two single people in their forties who meet and feel an immediate connection. Instead of embracing a potential relationship, they get caught up in analyzing their pasts, searching for reasons why they *can’t* make it work. They’ve settled into comfortable routines and believe, at their age, that maybe they’re meant to be alone. They feel that grand romance is for younger people, and they think they’re too old and experienced to believe in it themselves.

The premise of *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey* sounds like a typical romantic story, but the film-written by Seth Reiss, a co-writer of the satirical comedy *The Menu*-takes some unexpected turns, all delivered with a dry wit. The movie begins with David, played by Colin Farrell, driving to a wedding and chatting with his parents. He’s going alone, which he prefers, but his parents gently suggest he hopes to find someone special. His father offers unhelpful encouragement to be open to possibilities (played with warmth by Hamish Linklater). David dismisses their advice, eager to start his trip, only to discover his car has been booted. Luckily, he spots a sign for a quirky car rental place, “The Car Rental Agency,” seemingly run out of an airplane hangar by the enigmatic Kevin Kline and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. They give him an old Saturn and convince him to rent their unusual GPS system. This GPS isn’t ordinary; it guides him to locations that prompt him to reflect on his past, his childhood ambitions, his heartbreaks, and his struggles with finding a meaningful relationship.

Before the main story unfolds, David encounters Sarah, another guest at the wedding. They share a playful connection, but Sarah quickly reveals she prefers to avoid serious relationships. From the start, she comes across as the kind of free-spirited character, as critic Nathan Rabin put it, who’s alluringly dangerous and likely to cause trouble, but irresistible nonetheless.

The film *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey* frequently risks becoming overly sentimental, and the very word ‘journey’ feels cliché. However, despite these reservations, it’s surprisingly engaging. The story doesn’t follow a typical romance; David and Sarah don’t connect at a wedding, but later unexpectedly meet at a Burger King. When Sarah’s rental car breaks down, David offers her a ride, and a mysterious GPS leads them to a series of strange doors. Each door transports them to significant moments from their past, revealing the experiences that shaped them. Sarah revisits a museum she shared with her late mother, confronting her guilt over not being present during her mother’s final moments. David is taken back to a high school play, where he remembers the sting of rejection from a girl he liked. These moments – both big and small – are the things we carry with us throughout life. By witnessing each other’s vulnerable memories, David and Sarah gain a deep understanding of one another, perhaps even more than they bargained for.

Kogonada’s new film, *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey*, feels unusual and a bit awkward, but I found that strangely charming. Kogonada is a director who clearly thinks deeply, and his previous films, *After Yang* and *Columbus*, gently explored themes of memory, sadness, and the desire for personal growth. Those movies unfold slowly, revealing their meaning over time. This one is different. He’s aiming for a dreamy, stylized effect-it feels almost real, but not quite. Seeing Farrell, a wonderfully expressive actor, throw himself into a musical number-complete with classic teenage drama eyeliner-is captivating. And Robbie plays a character who appears perfect on the surface but is secretly struggling with self-doubt, reminding us that everyone has problems, no matter how beautiful they are. The film is experimental and doesn’t always succeed, sometimes feeling overly self-aware. But it asks us to consider what we even *want* from a movie. It’s a searching, wistful film that encourages us to embrace uncertainty and let go of the need to have all the answers.

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2025-09-20 00:57