Cumbersome and often stilted, Goya's Ghosts remains a worthy drama
Goya's Ghosts (2007)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:83
Fresh:24
Rotten:59
Average Rating:4.8/10
Consensus: Ornate costumes and a talented cast can't make up for Ghosts' glacial pace and confused plot.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for violence, disturbing images, some sexual content and nudity
Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Jul 20, 2007 Limited
Box Office: $743,451
Synopsis: From two-time Academy AwardŽ winning director Milos Forman and three-time Academy AwardŽ winning producer Saul Zaentz, GOYA'S GHOSTS is a sweeping historical epic, told through the eyes of... From two-time Academy AwardŽ winning director Milos Forman and three-time Academy AwardŽ winning producer Saul Zaentz, GOYA'S GHOSTS is a sweeping historical epic, told through the eyes of celebrated Spanish painter Francisco Goya (STELLAN SKARSGARD). Set against the backdrop of political turmoil at the end of the Spanish Inquisition and start of the invasion of Spain by Napoleon's army, the film captures the essence and beauty of Goya's work which is best known for both the colorful depictions of the royal court and its people, and his grim depictions of the brutality of war and life in 18th century Spain. JAVIER BARDEM is Brother Lorenzo, an enigmatic, cunning member of the Inquisition's inner circle who becomes infatuated with Goya's teenage muse, Ines (NATALIE PORTMAN), when she is falsely accused of heresy and sent to prison. The film stars an impressive ensemble cast including Bardem, Portman and Skarsgard as well as strong supporting roles from Randy Quaid, Michael Lonsdale, Jose Luis Gomez and Mabel Rivera. Directed by Milos Forman, with a screenplay by Forman and Jean-Claude Carričre (BIRTH, VALMONT), GOYA'S GHOSTS is produced by Saul Zaentz. Forman is a two-time Academy Award winner whose directing credits include ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, AMADEUS, THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT, HAIR, RAGTIME, VALMONT, and MAN ON THE MOON. Saul Zaentz is a three-time Academy Award winning producer whose credits include ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, AMADEUS and THE ENGLISH PATIENT. Zaentz also received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Science (AMPAS) in 1997. -- © Samuel Goldwyn Films [More]
Starring: Natalie Portman, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgaard, Randy Quaid
Starring: Natalie Portman, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgaard, Randy Quaid, Jose Luis Gomez, Michael Lonsdale
Director: Milos Forman
Director: Milos Forman
Screenwriter: Milos Forman, Jean-Claude Carriere
Producer: Saul Zaentz
Composer: Varhan Bauer
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Get This Movie
Reviews for Goya's Ghosts
Goya, aqui, é o coadjuvante de luxo de uma história que năo faz jus nem mesmo aos seus protagonistas.
A storyline that turns so silly, you half-expect Mel Brooks to show up reprising his "Inquisition" musical number from History of the World Part I.
Goya gets lost as the filmmakers turn Spanish history into a chronicle of easy contemporary targets. They don't just hit the social-political bull's-eye -- they obliterate it with a cannon and inadvertently scorch the dramatic landscape all around it.
Captures the essence of the period -- an intriguing, backward era in Spain -- but without the emotional impact that such a film requires.
Reminds us of the wisdom behind the title of Goya's most famous etching: 'The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters.'
Goyas Ghosts is less about the eponymous painter than it is a gripping two-part story of politics and faith during and after the Spanish Inquisition.
Goya's Ghosts is a smart, darkly funny and deeply pessimistic film. It looks good and features wonderful performances.
Forman ought to have put his film to The Question a little longer before letting it loose on the world.
Goya's Ghosts has ambitious goals that it never fully attains. It proves intermittently fascinating but ultimately disappointing.
What Forman doesn't give us is drama of sure coherence or credibility, but the trappings entrance.
Goya's Ghosts uses the lives of artists and historical figures to show us the best and the worst of our human impulses.
It's a richly seen and felt movie, but not one with a feel-good message.
A modern sensibility afflicts much of the screenplay, with characters expressing thoughts and opinions for our ears rather than acting as people of that era.
More than two decades ago, Forman gave us Amadeus, a portrait of the historical artist that both captured a time and made its people seem real and recognizable. On that second point, the new film falls far short.
Latest News for Goya's Ghosts
June 29, 2007:
The ultimate accidental insight provided by the film is that history may be recorded by the victors, but it is far less amenable to being smoothly scripted or orchestrated, either by foreign empires or filmmakers. ![]()
More...
June 04, 2007:
Trailer & Poster review ![]()
More...
March 31, 2007:
european-films.net's preview & trailer ![]()
More...
March 23, 2007:
The Weekly Ketchup: "Pirates 3" Trailer, Natalie Portman In The Buff, "300" Sequel Talk, And More!
In this week's Ketchup, the first trailer for "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" appears on RT, Natalie Portman delights many by showing her stuff in... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| 19% 19% | Transformers: Revenge … |
| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 66% 66% | The Merry Gentleman |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Goya's Ghosts at Rotten Tomatoes
- Goya's Ghosts at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Moviefone looks back at 7 films that have paved the way for movies like 2012.

BuzzSugar rattles off their 10 favorite current actors with celebrity pedigree.

The AV Club looks back at a dance sequence from the only movie written by... Dr. Seuss?

The Men Who Stare at Goats star answers your questions on TIME.com.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic


