A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Review: Some movies leave you wondering, “Why did I sit through that?” and yet, hours later, you catch yourself remembering a scene or two and thinking, “Well… maybe it wasn’t all bad.” That’s exactly where I landed with A Big Bold Beautiful Journey.
This film is ambitious, artistic, and at times visually striking, but boy, it’s also frustrating, meandering, and way too self-indulgent. I walked out of the theater thinking, “What a waste of time.” Then, the more I thought about it, I realized, “Okay, not a total waste.” Put that on the poster: Not a total waste of time.
My Rating: 2.5/5
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | A Big Bold Beautiful Journey |
| Director | Kogonada |
| Main Cast | Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Kevin Kline, Hamish Linklater |
| Genre | Romantic Drama / Experimental / Art-house |
| Language | English |
| Visual Style | Anime-inspired, abstract stage design, artistic sequences |
| Themes | Existential discovery, love, regret, self-reflection |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Runtime | 1h 49m |
The Setup
Directed by Kogonada, who’s known for his experimental and anime-inspired visual style, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey brings together Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie as two characters on a path of existential discovery. There’s rain, abstract sets, black-box sequences, and dialogue that swings between poetic and painfully cringeworthy.
Kogonada, for those who don’t know, grew up in the U.S. after moving from South Korea, and his work often blends Western storytelling with Eastern visual influences. You can feel that DNA here; it almost plays like a live-action anime, but somehow, it doesn’t fully land.
What Didn’t Work
Here’s the thing: the film tries way too hard.
- The dialogue: Half the time, it sounds like it was written by someone who binged Hallmark greeting cards. Motivational-poster-level lines that just don’t feel grounded.
- The characters: Farrell’s character feels too old for the journey he’s supposed to be on. Robbie, meanwhile, plays the quirky “shake up your life” love interest we’ve seen a hundred times before. At one point, she’s wearing knee-high suede boots in pouring rain. Boots that would be ruined instantly. I couldn’t unsee it.
- The vibe: Instead of a narrative, it often feels like you’re sitting through someone else’s two-hour therapy session. There are “breakthrough” moments, sure, but it’s heavy and exhausting.
- The abstract choices: I get the intention. They never say restaurant names, never talk about jobs or hobbies—because it’s supposed to be universal. But at times, it just comes across as hollow. Then suddenly, boom, there’s a very specific Burger King product placement that sticks out like a sore thumb. (It did make me want a cheeseburger, but not from Burger King.)
What I Actually Liked
For all my complaints, I can’t say this movie is all bad.
- The cast: Farrell and Robbie bring undeniable charisma. Their chemistry shouldn’t work, but somehow, it does. Even when the script drags them down, they shine through. Farrell’s regret-filled performance at the wedding hit me hard, and his dance number was surprisingly excellent.
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge & Kevin Kline: Their scene as eccentric German car rental agents is absolute gold. Perfect comic timing, sharp energy—probably my favorite moment in the whole film.
- Hamish Linklater: Playing Farrell’s father in flashbacks, he nails it. Adds weight and heart to a movie that sometimes forgets to breathe.
- The artistry: Say what you will, but Kogonada doesn’t play it safe. The anime-inspired visuals, abstract stage design, and bold swings deserve credit even if they don’t fully work.
Also Read: The Bads of Bollywood Review: Aryan Khan’s Explosive Debut You Won’t Believe
Good & Bad in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
| The Good | The Bad |
|---|---|
| Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie’s performances | Cringe-worthy, on-the-nose dialogue |
| Phoebe Waller-Bridge & Kevin Kline’s hilarious cameo | Overly abstract and hollow storytelling |
| Strong anime-inspired visual style | Feels like sitting through someone else’s therapy session |
| Farrell’s emotional depth & dance number | Farrell seems too old for the role |
| Hamish Linklater’s heartfelt flashbacks | Product placement (Burger King) breaks the immersion |
| Romantic, “give you the feels” moments | Way too long and indulgent for what it delivers |
Final Thoughts
Big, Bold, Beautiful Journey is a strange movie. It’s part art exhibit, part therapy session, and only partly a coherent story. At times, I wanted to walk out. At other times, I was caught off guard by a poignant performance or a striking visual.
Would I recommend seeing it in theaters? No. It’s not worth the ticket price or the endurance test. But on a plane? On streaming, while you’re half-distracted? Absolutely. That’s the perfect setting when you’re already on your own “big, bold, beautiful journey.”
Overall, I respect the ambition, but this swing is more of a miss than a hit. Still, I can’t deny I did enjoy pieces of it.
FAQs
Q: Is A Big Bold Beautiful Journey worth watching?
A: Not in theaters. But it’s worth checking out at home or on a flight. It has standout performances and moments of artistry, but it’s too uneven to justify a theater visit.
Q: Is this movie really like anime?
A: Yes, in spirit. The visuals and abstract storytelling feel anime-inspired, but it doesn’t translate as effectively in live-action with an American cast.
Q: Who gives the best performance?
A: Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie carry the film, but Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Kevin Kline steal the show in their cameo.
Q: Is it a romance?
A: Yes, at its core. But it’s also abstract, heavy, and occasionally too self-serious to fully function as one.
Q: Should I stream it or skip it?
A: Stream it. It’s a curiosity worth checking out once, but not something to rush to theaters for.