Goya in Bordeaux

Rating:
Summary: An Exploration on the Role of the Artist in Society
Review: Saura's newest film follows in the tradition of <>, <> and his most recent film <>. All explore the role of the artist as <> within society. <> is no exception. The film features Francisco Rabal, now the elderly Goya, who recounts his life to his young daughter in a series of artistic flashbacks, many of which cross the boundaries of time and space. Integral to the plot are his recollections of his affair with Cayetana, the famed Duchess of Alba, and who torments his thoughts throughout the course of the film bringing an element of reality to the artist's sometimes surreal world, a world where Goya's paintings serve as backdrops to illustrate the historical period. In addition, unusual lighting and music contribute to the film's artistic flare, all blending into a lush and virtual feast for the eyes. I truly enjoyed this creative experiment. It is a must for Saura fans and for those who enjoy Spanish art and history.

Rating:
Summary: Goya in Bordeaux
Review: THE best movie I have seen so far in my life. It is more than just a movie. It penetrates all art forms. As any work of real Art, it goes through skin and directly for the soul.

It is another true masterpiece by Calos Saura - a director standing in my opinion in the same top tier of world's Artists as Ingmar Bergman, Andrei Tarkovski, Yuri Norstein, Pablo Picasso, Mark Chagall, Herbert von Karajan, Vladimir Spivakov, Maurice Ravel, Michal Oginsky.

Another film that comes to mind - Tout Les Matins Du Monde.

Rating:
Summary: An artistic masterpiece
Review: This film is an artistic masterpiece. Absolutely beautiful cinematography (i.e., the transparent walls), superb costumes and recreation of the time/place, beautiful musical score, and fantastic acting. The girl that played Goya's daughter was outstanding.
Therefore, it is no surprise that this film earned four Goya Awards (spanish equivalent of the Oscar, ironically named after the master painter himself). This is not a strict biography of the great master; it is cinematographic art interwoven within an old man's (Goya's) recollection of his life.

Rating:
Summary: Artistic Masterpiece
Review: This film is not only amazing cinematically, but also in context. The story follows the life of Francisco de Goya very well, and I feel it successfully conveys the emotions (and insanity) he went through at the end of his life. Artistically, every scene is visual perfection in composition and effects. Contextually, the philosophical and psychological motifs are deeply insightful. This is definitely one of the best films I've seen in my lifetime.

Rating:
Summary: Artistic Masterpiece
Review: This film is not only amazing cinematically, but also in context. The story follows the life of Francisco de Goya very well, and I feel it successfully conveys the emotions (and insanity) he went through at the end of his life. Artistically, every scene is visual perfection in composition and effects. Contextually, the philosophical and psychological motifs are deeply insightful. This is definitely one of the best films I've seen in my lifetime.

Rating:
Summary: Film as art
Review: This movie by Carlos Saura is an ambitious attempt at recreating the life of celebrated Spanish artist, Francisco Goya. The cinematography is spell binding as the artists works are recreated masterfully, only to be matched by the magnificent time period recreation. The acting is very good, good enough to garnish a Goya(Spanish equivilent of an Oscar) for leading actor and actress. Veteran actor Francisco Rabal, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the real Goya and Maribel Vernu as Cayetana, the Dutchess of Alba, both won a Goya for their performances. If all this reference to Goya is confusing it is because I'm laying the foundation for the problem with this movie. The story of Goya is told to his daughter through a series of flashbacks that are at times very perplexing. It is not so much that they are confusing but that no explanation is given to the circumstances of Goya's life. Saura makes the leap that everyone knows about Goya rather than explaining. Maybe everyone in Spain knows about Goya but not all viewers are Spanish. It helps to be up on your Spanish history prior to viewing to understand the political nature of the times and the reason for his self imposed exile to Bordeaux in his later years. I did some reading afterwards but it would have been better to know the why before viewing. Anyway the sets and lighting are works of art in themselves as the paintings and walls in one sequence come to life. These hallucinations are part of the torment that Goya suffers and is reflected in his art. Some insights are given into the life of Goya but it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Goyas mixing in the royal court and hob nobing with the rich and famous are perfect backdrops for his cavorting with Cayetana. Saura has created a work of art in his homage to one of Spains master painters. Goya's life and death, as represented in this film, is the end of an era linked to Velasquez and the birth of modern art in Spain. Recommended for art enthuisists with deep pockets.

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