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{{Short description|2006 film by Miloš Forman}}
{{Short description|2006 biographical drama film by Miloš Forman}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Goya's Ghosts
| name = Goya's Ghosts
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| language = Spanish<br>English
| language = Spanish<br>English
| budget = $50 million
| budget = $50 million
| gross = $9,448,082<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goyasghosts.htm |title=Goya's Ghosts |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=February 10, 2014}}</ref>
| gross = $9,448,082<ref name=mojo>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goyasghosts.htm |title=Goya's Ghosts |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=February 10, 2014}}</ref>
}}
}}

'''''Goya's Ghosts''''' is a 2006 [[biographical film|biographical]] [[drama film]], directed by [[Miloš Forman]] (his final directorial feature before his death in 2018), and written by him and [[Jean-Claude Carrière]]. The film stars [[Javier Bardem]], [[Natalie Portman]] and [[Stellan Skarsgård]], and was filmed on location in Spain during late 2005. The film was written, produced, and performed in English although it is a Spanish production.
'''''Goya's Ghosts''''' is a 2006 [[biographical film|biographical]] [[drama film]], directed by [[Miloš Forman]] (his final directorial feature before his death in 2018),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-milos-forman-obit-20180414-story.html|title=Miloš Forman, Oscar-winning Czech director of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' dies at 86|first=Gina|last=Piccalo|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=14 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cieply |first=Michael |date=2018-04-14 |title=Milos Forman, 86, Dies; Won Oscars for 'Cuckoo's Nest' and 'Amadeus' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/14/obituaries/milos-forman-dead.html?searchResultPosition=2 |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and written by him and [[Jean-Claude Carrière]]. The film stars [[Javier Bardem]], [[Natalie Portman]], and [[Stellan Skarsgård]], and was filmed on location in Spain during late 2005. The film was written, produced, and performed in English although it is a Spanish production.


Although the historical setting of the film is authentic, the story about Goya trying to defend a model is fictional, as are the characters Brother Lorenzo and the Bilbatúa family.
Although the historical setting of the film is authentic, the story about Goya trying to defend a model is fictional, as are the characters Brother Lorenzo and the Bilbatúa family.
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While posing for Goya, Lorenzo sees a painting and asks about the model he uses, Inés, the daughter of rich merchant Tomás Bilbatúa. Later, Inés is spotted in a tavern by Holy Office spies (trained by Lorenzo) declining a dish of pork. She is summoned by the Inquisition and arrested on charges of "Judaizing" by refusing pork. She is stripped naked and [[torture]]d by [[strappado]] (put to The Question) into a confession and then imprisoned.
While posing for Goya, Lorenzo sees a painting and asks about the model he uses, Inés, the daughter of rich merchant Tomás Bilbatúa. Later, Inés is spotted in a tavern by Holy Office spies (trained by Lorenzo) declining a dish of pork. She is summoned by the Inquisition and arrested on charges of "Judaizing" by refusing pork. She is stripped naked and [[torture]]d by [[strappado]] (put to The Question) into a confession and then imprisoned.


Her father begs Goya for help, who in turn asks Lorenzo to learn about Inés's situation. Lorenzo visits her in the dungeon, feigning to help her and pass a message to her family. He offers to pray with her, but struggles with his desire for her. Left naked, she prays with him at his request.
Her father begs Goya for help, who in turn asks Lorenzo to learn about Inés's situation. Lorenzo finds her naked in the dungeon, feigning to help her and pass a message to her family. He covers her up and offers to pray with her, but struggles with his desire for her. She prays with him at his request.


Later, at a dinner in Bilbatúa's home where he and Goya are guests, Lorenzo defends strappado (The Question). He argues that if the accused is innocent, God will give him or her the strength to deny guilt; therefore, a person who confesses under duress must be guilty. Bilbatúa does not agree and argues that people will confess to anything under torture, to which Goya also agrees.
Later, at a dinner in Bilbatúa's home where he and Goya are guests, Lorenzo defends strappado (The Question). He argues that if the accused is innocent, God will give him or her the strength to deny guilt; therefore, a person who confesses under duress must be guilty. Bilbatúa does not agree and argues that people will confess to anything under torture, to which Goya also agrees.
Line 38: Line 39:
Bilbatúa then draws up a document which says that Lorenzo confesses to being a monkey, and with the help of his sons, tortures Lorenzo in the same manner, causing him to break down and sign it. Bilbatúa promises to destroy the document if Inés is released. He gives Lorenzo a large gold 'donation' for the Church in the hopes it may persuade the Holy Office to release her.
Bilbatúa then draws up a document which says that Lorenzo confesses to being a monkey, and with the help of his sons, tortures Lorenzo in the same manner, causing him to break down and sign it. Bilbatúa promises to destroy the document if Inés is released. He gives Lorenzo a large gold 'donation' for the Church in the hopes it may persuade the Holy Office to release her.


Lorenzo pleads for Inés, and the Inquisitor-General Father Gregorio accepts the money, but refuses her release, since she has confessed. Lorenzo again visits Inés, offering to pray with her, but instead rapes her. Later, her father brings the document to the king, Charles IV who is amused at reading it and promises to look into Inés' situation. The document is an embarrassment to the Holy Office, and Lorenzo flees when they come to arrest him. His portrait is confiscated and publicly burned in effigy.
Lorenzo pleads for Inés, and the Inquisitor-General Father Gregorio accepts the money, but refuses her release, since she has confessed. Lorenzo again visits Inés, offering to pray with her, but instead rapes her. Later, her father brings the document to the king, [[Charles IV of Spain|Charles IV]] who is amused at reading it and promises to look into Inés' situation. The document is an embarrassment to the Holy Office, and Lorenzo flees when they come to arrest him. His portrait is confiscated and publicly burned in effigy.


Fifteen years pass, and a now deaf Goya is at the height of his creativity. The French army invades Spain, abolishes the Inquisition and sets the prisoners free. Lorenzo had fled to France, and is now a fanatical adherent of the French Revolution. He has become Napoleon's chief prosecutor against his Inquisition ex-colleagues. (This twist in Lorenzo's allegiance may have been inspired by [[Juan Antonio Llorente]].) A French [[show trial]] court convicts and sentences the Inquisitor-General to death.
Fifteen years pass, and a now deaf Goya is at the height of his creativity. The [[Peninsular War|French army invades Spain]], abolishes the Inquisition and sets the prisoners free. Lorenzo had fled to France, and is now a fanatical adherent of the French Revolution. He has become [[Napoleon]]'s chief prosecutor against his Inquisition ex-colleagues. This twist in Lorenzo's allegiance may have been inspired by [[Juan Antonio Llorente]]. A French [[show trial]] court convicts and sentences the Inquisitor-General to death.


Left in the dungeons over the years, Inés has been losing her sanity. She gave birth to a daughter who was taken away at birth. Upon returning home and finding her family dead, Inés turns to Goya for help in finding her child. Lorenzo is the father, which is embarrassing for him, and he sends Inés to an [[insane asylum]]. Lorenzo questions the condemned Inquisitor-General, who tells him that a child born in the dungeon would've been placed at an orphanage. Lorenzo finds her and learns from the nuns that his daughter, Alicia, had run away several years prior.
Left in the dungeons over the years, Inés has been losing her sanity. She gave birth to a daughter who was taken away at birth. Upon returning home and finding her family dead, Inés turns to Goya for help in finding her child. Lorenzo is the father, which is embarrassing for him, and he sends Inés to an [[insane asylum]]. Lorenzo questions the condemned Inquisitor-General, who tells him that a child born in the dungeon would've been placed at an orphanage. Lorenzo finds her and learns from the nuns that his daughter, Alicia, had run away several years prior.


While sketching in Garden Park, Goya notices a [[prostitute]] named Alicia who looks just like Inés. He goes to Lorenzo and asks for Inés, so he can reunite her with her daughter. Lorenzo becomes worried and secretly visits Alicia at the park, offering to pay her passage to America if she leaves Spain. She refuses, calling him insane. Meanwhile, Goya visits the asylum where Lorenzo had stashed Inés and bribes the director to release her. He attempts to bring her to see Alicia at a tavern where [[prostitute]]s gather. As he tries to persuade Alicia, soldiers (on Lorenzo's orders) raid the place and arrest all the prostitutes. Goya learns that Lorenzo plans to sell them as [[slaves]] to America.
While sketching in Garden Park, Goya notices a [[prostitute]] named Alicia who looks just like Inés. He goes to Lorenzo and asks for Inés, so he can reunite her with her daughter. Lorenzo becomes worried and secretly visits Alicia at the park, offering to pay her passage to America if she leaves Spain. She refuses, calling him insane. Meanwhile, Goya visits the asylum where Lorenzo had stashed Inés and bribes the director to release her. He attempts to bring her to see Alicia at a tavern where prostitutes gather. As he tries to persuade Alicia, soldiers (on Lorenzo's orders) raid the place and arrest all the prostitutes. Goya learns that Lorenzo plans to sell them as [[slaves]] to America.


Soon after, the deluded Inés wanders into the tavern and finds a baby left by its mother, who was taken in the raid. She is elated and steals the baby away thinking it's her lost child.
Soon after, the deluded Inés wanders into the tavern and finds a baby left by its mother, who was taken in the raid. She is elated and steals the baby away thinking it is her lost child.


The British are easily defeating the French with help from the Spanish populace. They come over a hill and charge the wagons transporting the prostitutes. The French escort abandons the wagons, and Alicia catches the eye of a British officer. Lorenzo is caught fleeing the invasion, and Spain has reinstated the Inquisition. Lorenzo is sentenced to death, with the Inquisitor-General reversing their earlier roles. He urges Lorenzo to repent as he is taken to the execution wearing a [[sanbenito]] with painted flames, indicating that he is sentenced to hell.
The British are easily defeating the French with help from the Spanish populace. They come over a hill and charge the wagons transporting the prostitutes. The French escort abandons the wagons, and Alicia catches the eye of a British officer. Lorenzo is caught fleeing the invasion, and Spain has reinstated the Inquisition. Lorenzo is sentenced to death, with the Inquisitor-General reversing their earlier roles. He urges Lorenzo to repent as he is taken to the execution wearing a [[sanbenito]] with painted flames, indicating that he is sentenced to hell.
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* [[Javier Bardem]] as Lorenzo Casamares
* [[Javier Bardem]] as Lorenzo Casamares
* [[Stellan Skarsgård]] as [[Francisco Goya]]
* [[Stellan Skarsgård]] as [[Francisco Goya]]
* [[Michael Lonsdale]] as the [[Grand Inquisitor|Inquisitor General]]
* [[Michael Lonsdale]] as the [[Grand Inquisitor|Inquisitor General]] Father Gregorio
* [[Randy Quaid]] as King [[Charles IV of Spain]]
* [[Randy Quaid]] as [[Charles IV of Spain|King Charles IV]]
* [[Blanca Portillo]] as [[Maria Luisa of Parma|Queen María Luisa]]
* [[Blanca Portillo]] as [[Maria Luisa of Parma|Queen María Luisa]]
* [[José Luis Gómez (actor)|José Luis Gómez]] as Tomás Bilbatúa
* [[José Luis Gómez (actor)|José Luis Gómez]] as Tomás Bilbatúa
* [[Mabel Rivera]] as María Isabel Bilbatúa
* [[Mabel Rivera]] as María Isabel Bilbatúa
* [[Unax Ugalde]] as Ángel Bilbatúa
* [[Unax Ugalde]] as Ángel Bilbatúa
* Fernando Tielve as Álvaro Bilbatúa
* [[Fernando Tielve]] as Álvaro Bilbatúa
* [[Michael Lonsdale]] as Father Gregorio
* [[Julian Wadham]] as [[Joseph Bonaparte]]
* [[Julian Wadham]] as [[Joseph Bonaparte]]
* Manuel Brun as [[Ferdinand VII|King Ferdinand VII]]

==Production==
Actual Goya paintings were used in the film, except for those which were supposed to resemble Bardem and Portman. Close-ups of Goya's hands creating his paintings used an actual artist.<ref name=sfgate>{{cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/History-is-scary-in-Goya-s-Ghosts-2552451.php|title=History is scary in 'Goya's Ghosts'|last=Zack|first=Jessica Werner|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=July 15, 2007|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref>

Bardem said he first believed he should have been cast as Goya, but then realized Lorenzo was a "wonderful challenge because he embodies two entirely opposite behaviors."<ref name=sfgate/>

Skarsgard wore a [[fat suit]] at first but enjoyed the food so much he gained enough weight for the role later.<ref name=sfgate/>

When getting ready to cast Inés, Forman saw Portman on a magazine cover and noticed how much she looked like ''[[The Milkmaid of Bordeaux]]''.<ref name=sfgate/>


==Reception==
==Reception==
===Box office===
===Box office===
The film has grossed $2,198,929 in [[Spain]] and $1,199,024 in [[Italy]].<ref>[http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=goyasghosts.htm BoxOffice]</ref> In the [[United States]], ''Goya's Ghosts'' has grossed $1,000,626, with a worldwide total $9,448,082.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goyasghosts.htm |title=Goya's Ghosts (2007) |publisher=Boxofficemojo.com |access-date=2012-06-06}}</ref>
The film has grossed $2,198,929 in [[Spain]] and $1,199,024 in [[Italy]].<ref name=mojo/> In the [[United States]], ''Goya's Ghosts'' has grossed $1,000,626, with a worldwide total $9,448,082.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=goyasghosts.htm |title=Goya's Ghosts (2007) |publisher=Boxofficemojo.com |access-date=2012-06-06}}</ref>


===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
''Goya's Ghosts'' received poor reviews from critics. The review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported that 30% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 87 reviews &mdash; with the consensus that "ornate costumes and a talented cast can't make up for Ghosts' glacial pace and confused plot."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/goyas_ghosts/ |title=Goya's Ghosts Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=CNET Networks, Inc |access-date=November 30, 2008 }}</ref> [[Metacritic]] reported the film had an average score of 52 out of 100, based on 25 reviews &mdash; indicating average reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/goyasghosts |title=Goya's Ghosts (2007): Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=November 30, 2008 }}</ref>
''Goya's Ghosts'' received poor reviews from critics. The review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported that 30% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 87 reviews &mdash; with the consensus that "ornate costumes and a talented cast can't make up for ''Ghosts''<nowiki/>' glacial pace and confused plot."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/goyas_ghosts/ |title=Goya's Ghosts Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=CNET Networks, Inc |access-date=November 30, 2008 }}</ref> [[Metacritic]] reported the film had an average score of 52 out of 100, based on 25 reviews &mdash; indicating average reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/goyasghosts |title=Goya's Ghosts (2007): Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=November 30, 2008 |archive-date=March 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326095430/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/goyasghosts |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070107105803/http://wwws.warnerbros.es/goyasghost Official website (archived)] {{in lang|es}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070107105803/http://wwws.warnerbros.es/goyasghost Official website (archived)] {{in lang|es}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060209102459/http://www.hanwayfilms.com/test/flash_positive.htm Hanway Films webpage]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060209102459/http://www.hanwayfilms.com/test/flash_positive.htm Hanway Films webpage]
* John Walker. (2009). [http://www.artdesigncafe.com/Goya-ghosts-Los-Phantasmas-de-Goya "''Goya's ghosts'' (Los phantasmas de Goya) (2006) film review]. ''artdesigncafe''.
* John Walker. (2009). [http://www.artdesigncafe.com/Goya-ghosts-Los-Phantasmas-de-Goya "''Goya's ghosts'' (Los phantasmas de Goya) (2006) film review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202062103/http://www.artdesigncafe.com/Goya-ghosts-Los-Phantasmas-de-Goya |date=2012-02-02 }}. ''artdesigncafe''.
* {{IMDb title|id=0455957|title=Goya's Ghosts}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0455957|title=Goya's Ghosts}}
* {{Amg movie|326959|Goya's Ghosts}}
* {{AllMovie title|326959|Goya's Ghosts}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=goyas_ghosts|title=Goya's Ghosts}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=goyas_ghosts|title=Goya's Ghosts}}
* {{metacritic film|id=goyas-ghosts|title=Goya's Ghosts}}
* {{Metacritic film|title=Goya's Ghosts}}
* {{mojo title|id=goyasghosts|title=Goya's Ghosts}}
* {{mojo title|id=goyasghosts|title=Goya's Ghosts}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081201092731/http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3338/9311/ "Liberty, Equality and Torture," in ''Willamette Week''] By N.P. Thompson
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081201092731/http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3338/9311/ "Liberty, Equality and Torture," in ''Willamette Week''] By N.P. Thompson
Line 89: Line 99:


{{Miloš Forman|state=expanded}}
{{Miloš Forman|state=expanded}}
{{Jean-Claude Carrière}}
{{Francisco Goya}}
{{Francisco Goya}}


[[Category:2006 drama films]]
[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2006 biographical drama films]]
[[Category:Biographical films about painters]]
[[Category:Biographical films about painters]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Francisco Goya]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Francisco Goya]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Ferdinand VII]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Spanish monarchs]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Spanish queens]]
[[Category:English-language Spanish films]]
[[Category:English-language Spanish films]]
[[Category:Films about Catholicism]]
[[Category:Films about Catholicism]]
[[Category:Films about painters]]
[[Category:Films about Christianity]]
[[Category:Films directed by Miloš Forman]]
[[Category:Films directed by Miloš Forman]]
[[Category:Films produced by Saul Zaentz]]
[[Category:Films produced by Saul Zaentz]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1790s]]
[[Category:Films set in 1792]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1800s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1800s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1810s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1810s]]
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[[Category:Films with screenplays by Jean-Claude Carrière]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Jean-Claude Carrière]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Miloš Forman]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Miloš Forman]]
[[Category:Inquisition in fiction]]
[[Category:Films about the Inquisition]]
[[Category:Peninsular War films]]
[[Category:Peninsular War films]]
[[Category:Spanish films]]
[[Category:Spanish Inquisition]]
[[Category:Spanish Inquisition]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:2000s Spanish films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Joseph Bonaparte]]
[[Category:English-language biographical drama films]]

Latest revision as of 22:33, 19 November 2024

Goya's Ghosts
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMiloš Forman
Written byMiloš Forman
Jean-Claude Carrière
Produced bySaul Zaentz
StarringJavier Bardem
Natalie Portman
Stellan Skarsgård
Randy Quaid
Unax Ugalde
CinematographyJavier Aguirresarobe
Edited byAdam Boome
Music byVarhan Orchestrovič Bauer
Production
companies
The Saul Zaentz Company
Kanzaman
Antena 3 Televisión
Xuxa Producciones
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures (Spain)
Samuel Goldwyn Films (United States)
Release dates
  • 10 November 2006 (2006-11-10) (Spain)
  • 20 July 2007 (2007-07-20) (US)
Running time
114 minutes
CountriesSpain
United States
LanguagesSpanish
English
Budget$50 million
Box office$9,448,082[1]

Goya's Ghosts is a 2006 biographical drama film, directed by Miloš Forman (his final directorial feature before his death in 2018),[2][3] and written by him and Jean-Claude Carrière. The film stars Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, and Stellan Skarsgård, and was filmed on location in Spain during late 2005. The film was written, produced, and performed in English although it is a Spanish production.

Although the historical setting of the film is authentic, the story about Goya trying to defend a model is fictional, as are the characters Brother Lorenzo and the Bilbatúa family.

Plot

[edit]

In 1792, Spain suffers amid upheaval from the French Revolution. Francisco Goya is a renowned painter who does portraits as the Official Court Painter to Spain's royalty, among others.

The Spanish Inquisition is disturbed by some of Goya's work. Brother Lorenzo Casamares defends him and later hires him to paint his portrait. Lorenzo says that his works are not evil, but simply depict evil. He recommends that the Church/Inquisition step up against anti-Catholic practices, and he is given power to intensify the Inquisition.

While posing for Goya, Lorenzo sees a painting and asks about the model he uses, Inés, the daughter of rich merchant Tomás Bilbatúa. Later, Inés is spotted in a tavern by Holy Office spies (trained by Lorenzo) declining a dish of pork. She is summoned by the Inquisition and arrested on charges of "Judaizing" by refusing pork. She is stripped naked and tortured by strappado (put to The Question) into a confession and then imprisoned.

Her father begs Goya for help, who in turn asks Lorenzo to learn about Inés's situation. Lorenzo finds her naked in the dungeon, feigning to help her and pass a message to her family. He covers her up and offers to pray with her, but struggles with his desire for her. She prays with him at his request.

Later, at a dinner in Bilbatúa's home where he and Goya are guests, Lorenzo defends strappado (The Question). He argues that if the accused is innocent, God will give him or her the strength to deny guilt; therefore, a person who confesses under duress must be guilty. Bilbatúa does not agree and argues that people will confess to anything under torture, to which Goya also agrees.

Bilbatúa then draws up a document which says that Lorenzo confesses to being a monkey, and with the help of his sons, tortures Lorenzo in the same manner, causing him to break down and sign it. Bilbatúa promises to destroy the document if Inés is released. He gives Lorenzo a large gold 'donation' for the Church in the hopes it may persuade the Holy Office to release her.

Lorenzo pleads for Inés, and the Inquisitor-General Father Gregorio accepts the money, but refuses her release, since she has confessed. Lorenzo again visits Inés, offering to pray with her, but instead rapes her. Later, her father brings the document to the king, Charles IV who is amused at reading it and promises to look into Inés' situation. The document is an embarrassment to the Holy Office, and Lorenzo flees when they come to arrest him. His portrait is confiscated and publicly burned in effigy.

Fifteen years pass, and a now deaf Goya is at the height of his creativity. The French army invades Spain, abolishes the Inquisition and sets the prisoners free. Lorenzo had fled to France, and is now a fanatical adherent of the French Revolution. He has become Napoleon's chief prosecutor against his Inquisition ex-colleagues. This twist in Lorenzo's allegiance may have been inspired by Juan Antonio Llorente. A French show trial court convicts and sentences the Inquisitor-General to death.

Left in the dungeons over the years, Inés has been losing her sanity. She gave birth to a daughter who was taken away at birth. Upon returning home and finding her family dead, Inés turns to Goya for help in finding her child. Lorenzo is the father, which is embarrassing for him, and he sends Inés to an insane asylum. Lorenzo questions the condemned Inquisitor-General, who tells him that a child born in the dungeon would've been placed at an orphanage. Lorenzo finds her and learns from the nuns that his daughter, Alicia, had run away several years prior.

While sketching in Garden Park, Goya notices a prostitute named Alicia who looks just like Inés. He goes to Lorenzo and asks for Inés, so he can reunite her with her daughter. Lorenzo becomes worried and secretly visits Alicia at the park, offering to pay her passage to America if she leaves Spain. She refuses, calling him insane. Meanwhile, Goya visits the asylum where Lorenzo had stashed Inés and bribes the director to release her. He attempts to bring her to see Alicia at a tavern where prostitutes gather. As he tries to persuade Alicia, soldiers (on Lorenzo's orders) raid the place and arrest all the prostitutes. Goya learns that Lorenzo plans to sell them as slaves to America.

Soon after, the deluded Inés wanders into the tavern and finds a baby left by its mother, who was taken in the raid. She is elated and steals the baby away thinking it is her lost child.

The British are easily defeating the French with help from the Spanish populace. They come over a hill and charge the wagons transporting the prostitutes. The French escort abandons the wagons, and Alicia catches the eye of a British officer. Lorenzo is caught fleeing the invasion, and Spain has reinstated the Inquisition. Lorenzo is sentenced to death, with the Inquisitor-General reversing their earlier roles. He urges Lorenzo to repent as he is taken to the execution wearing a sanbenito with painted flames, indicating that he is sentenced to hell.

On the scaffold, Lorenzo sees Alicia, next to the British officer, scoffing at him. He also sees Goya sketching the scene at a distance. Inés is also in the crowd, and she calls to Lorenzo, showing him the baby she thinks is their daughter. Refusing to repent despite pleas from his former colleagues, Lorenzo is garroted. The film ends with a cart taking Lorenzo's body away, escorted by Inés still carrying the child, with Goya following behind and calling for her. She glances back with a smile, but continues to accompany Lorenzo's body.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Actual Goya paintings were used in the film, except for those which were supposed to resemble Bardem and Portman. Close-ups of Goya's hands creating his paintings used an actual artist.[4]

Bardem said he first believed he should have been cast as Goya, but then realized Lorenzo was a "wonderful challenge because he embodies two entirely opposite behaviors."[4]

Skarsgard wore a fat suit at first but enjoyed the food so much he gained enough weight for the role later.[4]

When getting ready to cast Inés, Forman saw Portman on a magazine cover and noticed how much she looked like The Milkmaid of Bordeaux.[4]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

The film has grossed $2,198,929 in Spain and $1,199,024 in Italy.[1] In the United States, Goya's Ghosts has grossed $1,000,626, with a worldwide total $9,448,082.[5]

Critical reception

[edit]

Goya's Ghosts received poor reviews from critics. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 30% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 87 reviews — with the consensus that "ornate costumes and a talented cast can't make up for Ghosts' glacial pace and confused plot."[6] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 52 out of 100, based on 25 reviews — indicating average reviews.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Goya's Ghosts". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  2. ^ Piccalo, Gina (14 April 2018). "Miloš Forman, Oscar-winning Czech director of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' dies at 86". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ^ Cieply, Michael (2018-04-14). "Milos Forman, 86, Dies; Won Oscars for 'Cuckoo's Nest' and 'Amadeus'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  4. ^ a b c d Zack, Jessica Werner (July 15, 2007). "History is scary in 'Goya's Ghosts'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "Goya's Ghosts (2007)". Boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
  6. ^ "Goya's Ghosts Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. CNET Networks, Inc. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
  7. ^ "Goya's Ghosts (2007): Reviews". Metacritic. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
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