What really determines the attraction between two people? Kogonada, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Columbus and After Yang, seeks answers to that question in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, which opens in theaters this Thursday, the 17th. More than a traditional romance, the film works as a deep dive into the psyche of its characters.
The premise is seemingly simple: David (Colin Farrell) meets Sarah (Margot Robbie) at a wedding, and they instantly connect. She is spontaneous, dances without inhibition, and even proposes marriage to this stranger. He is enchanted by that freedom. But Kogonada, working with screenwriter Seth Reiss, uses this encounter as a starting point for a much more complex exploration.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey: A journey through the psyche
The real protagonist of the film is not the couple but the therapeutic process they undergo. Guided by a mysterious GPS voice — which serves as a metaphor for psychological guidance — David and Sarah embark on a literal and figurative journey through their memories and traumas.
David carries scars from romantic rejections, including a school humiliation that still echoes into his adult life. Sarah, on the other hand, built emotional walls after losing her mother at a young age, preferring superficial relationships over deep bonds. The film reveals how these formative experiences continue to influence their romantic choices.
Kogonada shows remarkable familiarity with clinical psychology concepts, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychodrama. The director uses gradual exposure to trauma as a narrative structure, allowing the characters — and the audience — to process these experiences in a controlled and reflective way.
Particularly effective is how the film incorporates elements of psychodrama, with the protagonists literally reenacting past situations. One sequence in a theater, where they appear in everyday clothes while representing painful memories, exemplifies this innovative approach.
Smart cinema, even with limitations
Kogonada’s approach results in a film that challenges the conventions of the romance genre. Instead of focusing solely on the chemistry between the protagonists, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey questions how we become who we are and how that impacts our ability to relate to others.
Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie deliver nuanced performances. They skillfully navigate between romantic lightness and the psychological depth demanded by the script. Both manage to convey the vulnerability and resistance of characters struggling against their own defense mechanisms.
The film, however, is not without excesses. Kogonada occasionally repeats himself, revisiting themes already explored when he could have pushed the narrative forward. Some final moments seem to stretch already well-established concepts, suggesting the director could have found a more effective balance between depth and narrative economy.
Human nature
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey confirms Kogonada as one of today’s most intriguing filmmakers. His refusal to accept ready-made formulas and his constant search for layers of meaning make him a singular director. Here, he uses romance as a vehicle to explore fundamental questions about identity, trauma, and healing.
The result is a film that works simultaneously as entertainment and reflection. After all, it offers a mature perspective on how our past experiences continue to shape the present. For those seeking cinema that goes beyond the superficial, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey offers a rewarding journey through the complexity of human relationships.
