‘Big Bold Beautiful…’ review: Margot Robbie’s film soars but struggles

By Isha Sharma | Sep 19, 2025 | 06:12 PM

**What’s the story?**

Your car breaks down, you quickly rent one, you drive to a wedding, you meet a gorgeous woman, and sparks fly instantly. What can go wrong? *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey* plays with this unique premise, and this imaginative, lush fantasy drama expands upon our dreams, desires, and vulnerabilities. The execution, though, is helter-skelter, and the film demands utmost patience and commitment from you.

### Plot: Two strangers go on a long journey

The film stars Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie as David and Sarah, two strangers whose lives are intertwined by an inexplicable connection. They embark on a journey in David’s rented car, where an enigmatic GPS takes them to mysterious doors. On the other side are several important (mostly melancholic) moments of their lives, which Sarah and David are now forced to re-live.

### 1. Director Kogonada invites you into a beautiful, surreal world

From the very first frame, a beautiful sense of mystery dominates the film, and this feeling of surreality never abandons it. The movie is loaded with philosophy and metaphors, offering plenty to unpack in each conversation. The project is essentially a series of stunning images, one after the other, with several scenes resembling paintings you’d want to admire for minutes on end.

### 2. Can you hit rewind on life?

Kogonada directs the film with a strong aesthetic sense—each frame tells a story. Extremely visually pleasing and shot with sharp precision, the film plays out like an intriguing fantasy novel (similar to *Before the Coffee Gets Cold*). While there are no do-overs in life, Kogonada asks: What if there were? The film builds upon this theme, asking if you would go back and fill some cracks with love.

### 3. But these aspects aren’t enough to save the film

Unfortunately, the film begins to lose the audience quickly. While it aims to be a philosophical meditation on life, it fails to translate its stellar ideas into an exciting execution. The lethargic screenplay keeps the movie from blossoming into an engaging, gripping affair. If slow-paced dramas work for you, then you might let the film simmer slowly; otherwise, it can really wear you down.

### 4. There’s little chemistry between the lead actors

One major problem is the lack of chemistry between Robbie and Farrell. At times, it feels like they’re in different movies—she in a rom-com, he in a somber drama. Sarah and David remain emotionally distant, and we don’t care enough about them to stay invested in their story. Due to a lack of surprises, this journey faces several bumps along the way.

### Verdict

A stirring premise, but uninspired execution; 2.5/5 stars

*A Big Bold Beautiful Journey* sounds stunning on paper, but the execution tells a different story altogether. Its breathtaking production design and warmth are significant draws, but with a lackadaisical script, the movie fails to reach its full potential. The scattered and fragmented plot harms the overall experience, making it tough to stay engaged.

**Rating: 2.5/5 stars**
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/margot-robbie-colin-farrell-s-big-bold-beautiful-journey-review/story

‘Big Bold Beautiful…’ review: Margot Robbie’s film soars but struggles

**A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Review: A Stirring Premise Undermined by Uneven Execution**
*By Isha Sharma | Sep 19, 2025, 06:12 PM*

**What’s the story?**
Your car breaks down, you quickly rent one, you drive to a wedding, you meet a gorgeous woman, and sparks fly instantly. What can go wrong? *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey* plays with this unique premise, expanding into an imaginative, lush fantasy drama that explores our dreams, desires, and vulnerabilities. However, the execution is helter-skelter, demanding utmost patience and commitment from viewers.

### Plot: Two Strangers Go on a Long Journey

The film stars Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie as David and Sarah, two strangers whose lives become intertwined through an inexplicable connection. They embark on a journey in David’s rented car, guided by an enigmatic GPS that leads them to mysterious doors. On the other side lie several important — mostly melancholic — moments from their lives, which Sarah and David are now forced to re-live.

### 1. Director Kogonada Invites You Into a Beautiful, Surreal World

From the very first frame, the film is dominated by a beautiful sense of mystery and surrealism that never fades. Packed with philosophy and rich metaphors, each conversation offers a lot to unpack. Visually, the film is a series of stunning images, with many scenes resembling paintings you’d want to admire for minutes on end.

### 2. Can You Hit Rewind on Life?

Under Kogonada’s aesthetic direction, every frame tells a story. The film is extremely visually pleasing and sharply shot, unfolding like an intriguing fantasy novel reminiscent of *Before the Coffee Gets Cold*. Though there are no do-overs in life, Kogonada poses the question: what if there were? The narrative builds on this theme, exploring whether we would go back and fill some cracks in our past with love.

### 3. But These Aspects Aren’t Enough to Save the Film

Despite its philosophical aspirations, the film quickly loses momentum. While it aims to be a meditation on life, it fails to translate its stellar ideas into an exciting execution. The lethargic screenplay prevents the movie from blossoming into an engaging, gripping experience. If slow-paced dramas are your preference, you might appreciate this film’s measured simmering, but for others, the pacing can feel exhausting.

### 4. There’s Little Chemistry Between the Lead Actors

A major drawback is the lack of chemistry between Robbie and Farrell. At times, it feels as though they’re in different films altogether — she in a rom-com, he in a somber drama. Sarah and David remain emotionally distant, and the audience is left caring too little about their journey. The narrative suffers from a lack of surprises, which results in several bumps along the way.

### Verdict: A Stirring Premise, but Uninspired Execution — 2.5/5 Stars

*A Big Bold Beautiful Journey* boasts a stunning premise on paper, but the execution tells a different story. Its breathtaking production design and warm atmosphere are significant draws, yet the lackadaisical script prevents the movie from reaching its full potential. The scattered and fragmented plot makes it tough to stay fully engaged.

**Rating:** ★★½☆☆ (2.5/5 stars)
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/margot-robbie-colin-farrell-s-big-bold-beautiful-journey-review/story