Goya's Ghosts

Goya's ghosts is a historical drama, set in Spain, at the late 18^th- early 19^th century. Francisco Goya was a spanish painter, considered now the first of the moderns, whose work was popular among both the spanish monarchs and the people, although not so much among the spanish church. In the movie, Goya's muse, Ines, is arrested by the church for heresy. Her father turns to Goya hoping that his connection with Brother Lorenzo, whom he is painting, can aid towards the release of his daughter..

Stellan Skarsgard, a swedish actor playing a spanish painter, was great as Goya, since he gave his character light, avoiding the pattern of the dark artist with the fixed eyes. Javier Bardem was also great as Lorenzo, natural and believable in his performance of a man who in a few years made a u-turn concerning his beliefs and his whole life. As for Natalie Portman, in her first scenes as pre-tortured Ines I can't say I was overwhelmed, since her playing a sweet innocent girl was not something new (I know, that's a bitchy comment). But later, as older Ines or as Alicia, she was pretty much outstanding.

The film deals with issues such as the religious oppression, the freedom (or lack of freedom) of speech, as well as the political changes taking place in the previous centuries, like the amazing similarly-themed movie El Greco. A difference between the two stories is that Goya is not the center of this movie, and he is presented more like a prominent person than a hero – after all, he was not trialed for anything. Actually, there isn't a particular star in this movie.

Watching well-made historical movies like this one makes me feel like I am in a museum or reading an illustrated encyclopedia with that paper smell (I mean that in a good way :P). Apart from that sentiment, though, the film gives you a lot to think about and feel through numerous powerful scenes, including the ending.