“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” is an offbeat romance (with a heavy emphasis on “offbeat”) about two people who are whisked away from everyday reality and embark on an unplanned—and life-changing—trip. The feature stars Margo Robbie, fresh from “Barbie,” the $1.4 billion blockbuster hit from 2022 that earned eight Oscar nominations. Colin Farrell, her costar, appeared recently in “The Penguin,” the smash HBO series in which he transforms into Batman’s notorious nemesis.
“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” was directed by Kogonada, the Seoul-born but America-raised creative guide who was more than ready for this project: “I’m a big fan of comedy and romance, but I wanted it in a kind of original content,” he says. The script was written by Seth Reiss (“The Menu”), and Kogonada was blown away when it landed on his desk for consideration.
As the story unfolds, two strangers, unlike in every way, are drawn together by influences beyond their understanding. Sarah, a free-spirited artist who’s fleeing a torturous past, meets David, a reserved history buff who’s quietly searching for life’s meaning. The couple eventually find themselves on an extraordinary expedition — one that will challenge their beliefs, test their souls, and unlock secrets buried deep within time itself. As they travel across wondrous landscapes and encounter mysterious forces, the pair must confront their fears as they embrace the unknown. Every choice they make carries weight, and every step they take brings them closer to a truth that neither had expected.
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Kogonada says this film is really about reckoning with one’s past in order to find the possibility of love in the present. “I think as you get older, you realize your past has everything to do with how you understand love in the present,” he says. “We’re all longing for connection and understanding. It’s always something that we are searching for.”
Kevin Kline, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Lily Rabe fill out the solid supporting cast that guides audiences on this enchanting passage.
Heartfelt, mesmerizing and emotionally lush, “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” is an unforgettable fable of love, destiny, and the taking advantage of second chances. The film opens nationwide September 19.
