The director of Goya’s Ghosts, Milos Forman, created an intriguing, yet gruesome and dramatic film. The movie is centralized around several main characters; including Ines Bilbatua played by Natalie Portman, Lorenzo played by Javier Bardem, Francisco Goya played by Stellan Skarsgard, and Inquisitor General played by Michael Lonsdale. Goya’s Ghosts takes the audience to Spain during the Spanish Acquisition.
Goya’s Ghosts opening scene is the Holy Office of the church discussing Goya’s work as an artist. It is described as “disturbing and hideous”. This scene sets the tone for the remainder of the movie because there are countless scenes that portray these characteristics. Also, the movie accurately displays the corruption of the church and the frightening events that occurred during the Spanish Acquisition. Torture and corruption were common themes, although the men did not see it that way, since they referred to torturing people as “The Question.” The viewers could hear Lorenzo’s shoulders breaking, which caused an uneasy feeling. Also, prisoners of the Holy Office were bloody and wounded very badly. However, is it true that that period was very horrific. The actors’ costumes correctly portrayed that time period, as well as the architecture. For example, the royal court was shown wearing fancy clothing, while lower class citizens were shown in unpleasant clothing, which would be accurate for that time period. The background of scenes had Spanish art and small sculptures. There were paintings displayed in Lorenzo’s office and also throughout the royal’s buildings to set the scene.
The movie was able to capture some accurate things about the work of Francisco Goya. Goya painted almost demonic paintings, but also portraits of the royal court. His more gruesome drawings and paintings make him seem like an artist who wasn’t afraid to step out of the comfort zone. He was merely observing the true nature of the atrocious events that people endured. He was also famous for his printmaking. The director decided to dedicate a scene to the steps of printmaking to demonstrate the careful consideration that factors into each print. Goya’s portraits of the royal court were also shown throughout the movie, but mainly focuses on his muse, Ines. Also, Goya drew events that he observed during the French Revolution and even executions. I found it interesting that the director created a point of view that involved the audience for a short period of time. For example, when Goya first went completely deaf, two dogs were shown barking, but there was no sound. It was a peculiar, yet intriguing take on it. It felt as though the director wanted the audience to experience the same thing Goya was undergoing.
Although the director names the movie after Goya, he is not the only main character. The movie depicts several different storylines, which can be hard to follow. The movie takes on several points of view of the characters such as; Ines, Lorenzo, and Inquisitor General. Each character basically has their own story, which some may find overwhelming. However, the actors create raw emotion that draws in the audience in. Natalie Portman did an excellent job portraying Ines after she was released from prison. Ines was clearly disturbed after all those years in prison, and the movie showed that through the scene when she thought she found her daughter in the tavern.
Overall, I thought the movie was entertaining to watch. The actors gave depth to the characters that created an emotional and dramatic film. I do wish the movie focused a little more on Goya as an artist, since it is titled after him. In the movie, he acts as more of an observer. It doesn’t focus much on his life, but the war and people around him. However, the director purposely focused on that because much of Goya’s work was centered around the people in his life and the events that occurred in history. The director clearly put thought into this film and created a movie worth watching.
