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48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goya, Los Caprichos, and the Decline of Rationality, February 28, 2008
Milos Forman has a gift for combining fine art subject matter in period pieces that are not only entertaining but also educating. In GOYA'S GHOSTS he not only explores the multifaceted aspects of the great Spanish artist Francisco Goya as a painter of court portraits as well as canvases of dramatic collisions between the factions of people versus military cruelty of 18th and 19th century Spain, but he also dissects the infamous Spanish Inquisition, not only by defining characters who represented the Holy Office and the victims of the 'purging' but also by subtly remarking on the tenor of the times by focusing on Goya's 80 etchings titled 'Los Caprichos'. This is a richly realized film that captures the horror of the times while it offers insights into the changes that occurred in Spain in a rather comprehensive fashion.
1792 and while Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgård) is painting portraits of the royal family (Randy Quaid and Blanca Portillo) as well as portraits of his favorite model Inés (Natalie Portman) and of the Inquisition activist Brother Lorenzo (Javier Bardem). Corruption abounds in Spain and the fear of the Inquisition headed by Father Gregorio (Michael Lonsdale) penetrates all of society. When Inés is called before the Inquisition because she doesn't like the taste of pork offered at a public banquet, she is tortured for not confessing to be a Jewess and imprisoned. Despite the pleadings of Goya and the money offered by her family (Brother Lorenzo is asked to intervene on her behalf), Inés remains in prison for 15 years and when Brother Lorenzo visits her he impregnates her and the resulting girl child is sold upon her birth). France invades Spain (courtesy of Napoleon Bonaparte) and when the French Revolution begins to spread through Europe the chastised Brother Lorenzo travels to France where he assumes a new life away from the church. During the trauma of these years Goya loses his hearing and in response to the disintegration of society, creates the Caprichos - etchings that stress the brutality and madness to which the country has succumbed. Lorenzo returns to Spain, the prisoners of the Inquisition are freed, and Inés (now pitifully ugly) searches for her daughter, confronting Lorenzo with the paternity. How all of the pieces of the Caprichos come to life brings an end to the story fills the final moments of this fine period piece.
Javier Bardem is particularly strong in his role of the mutating Lorenzo and Stellan Skarsgård makes Goya an understandable genius. In addition to the named cast there are excellent cameo roles for such fine actors as Unax Ugalde, Wael Al Moubayed (Goya's interpreter), José Luis Gómez and Mabel Rivera among others. The cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe captures the flavor of the period and the musical score by Varhan Bauer and José Nieto quotes some 20th century compositions (Shostakovich) and blends Spanish court and dance themes into a rich musical tapestry. This is a fine film despite the lack of critical acceptance and certainly deserves a large audience, especially those who appreciate historical drama. Grady Harp, February 08
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74 of 81 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"THE SLEEP OF REASON PRODUCES MONSTERS" : The "ghosts" of Francisco de Goya, July 22, 2007
Milos Forman and Saul Zaentz, who brought us AMADEUS in 1983 have teamed up again to take on another historical artist-type , Francisco de Goya, in a most unusual period drama that is beautifully executed but may leave you scratching your head and wanting more information (especially how to interpret the film!).All of information is there,but if you are not one to seek it you may not enjoy this masterpiece.
The title suggests that the purpose of the film is to present the images that haunted the Royal Painter into producing his macabre aqua-tinted etchings called "The Caprichos" in the year 1792.We are shown these etchings in full during the opening titles. They are disturbing scenes of the most extreme torture with decapitations and disemboweled figures with twisted faces writhing in agony.What Goya etches is of the most horrific things imaginable to the human mind! In fact, these "Caprichos" were subtitled "The sleep of reason produces monsters". IF YOU DON'T GET THIS, THEN THE POINT OF THE WHOLE FILM WILL BE LOST!!!
The film then proceeds to spill out the events and the players that will form the basis of these horrible lithographs. The opening scene shows us the heads of the Roman Catholic Church nervously pondering Goya's etchings. This is the time of The Spanish Inquisition.The Church rules (even the King and Queen!)Heretics are "put to the question".They are tortured, burned and put to death."We cannot have the world perceiving us thus" remarks one of the Church Fathers.
Forman then introduces us to the three main players in this piece.Inez (Natalie Portman) who has become the "muse" for Goya's works. NOTE: Goya painted EXACT likenesses as he saw them.Inez' image is striking.Secondly, Father Lorenzo (Javier Bardem in a welcomed English speaking role) who has asked the Church to step up the "questioning" practices of The Inquisition. Lastly, Goya (Stellan Skarsgard) who as Painter to the Royal Court, has observed and painted them both.Lorenzo's portrait is austere and forebodingly ruthless and dark. Inez' portrait is pure beauty and innocence.This then sets up the "ghosts" that Goya will begin to etch over the next year as The Inquisition is stepped up and both Inez and Lorenzo become victims of the whole terrible scene. Goya goes deaf and, by some accounts, mad in the same year 1792 that he prints "The Caprichos" etchings.
Fifteen years forward and we now find these same three characters in different places. Inez has been in the Inquisitor's prison all this time; Lorenzo is a wanted fugitive of The Church ;and Goya is completely deaf and finds himself embroiled in the mystery of his two famous subjects for his paintings.France has now conquered Spain and has become a puppet state of Napoleon.The Church is still trying to wield influence. These three, Inez,Lorenzo and Goya are again thrown together to complete what is left of their lives in an Age where "Reason" has really lead to uncontrollable madness. What happens is startling and heartbreaking to all parties.
The end film credits wisely show the remaining paintings and etchings that Goya produced in his lifetime ending with the ultimate ghost, his own self-portrait.
Goya's paintings, themselves, are the "stars" in this film. The actors are but the "material" or the "influence" that inspires Goya's mad artistry.The whole point of this film is to show the actual events that inspired an artist to paint and etch what he did. The Church of the time was concerned,and rightfully so. "Reason had gone to sleep.....and it produced MONSTERS."
I have viewed this film now three times with each time having a deeper a richer experience and appreciation for the incredible piece of art that it is.
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35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the greatest films of all time. Criminally underrated., February 2, 2008
In 1975 Milos Forman made One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. In 1984 he brought us Amadeus, winner of 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Now, 23 years later, he brings us Goya's Ghosts, a brand new epic masterpiece on par with his previous critically acclaimed Academy Award winners.
The only difference is, Goya's Ghosts not only didn't get a single Oscar nomination, but it was slammed and hated by most critics. I'll make this part of my review short and simply say that this film must be so brilliant that it went right over the critics heads. The script is complicated, and the meaning of the title has been misinterpreted by almost everyone i've talked to about it.
Now, for the film itself. Perfection. Absolute perfection. Do not believe any of the negative reviews from the critics. This film is a masterpiece in every way. Music, acting, cinematography, script, everything. It's a breathtaking period drama that grips you from the first frame to the last and leaves you barely able to wrap your mind around just how perfect and brilliant it was. This is not a film to miss. It has taken the spot of #3 in my top 10 films of all time, #2 and #1 being One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Amadeus. At the request of the first person who commented on my review, I've edited my review here to say that Milos Forman could testify to the fact that i'm not related to him or to anyone involved in the creation or publicity of any of his films.
I'm not going to go into any plot details about the film. I'll simply say once more that it is possibly the greatest artistic achievement ever executed in the world of cinema. Buy the DVD when it's released. You won't regret it. Thank you Milos Forman!
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