After watching “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” I spent the 15-minute drive home in SILENCE — not because I didn’t know what to say, but because the film said everything I didn’t realize I needed to hear.
I don’t remember the last time I cried so much, and despite all the negative reviews, this is my FAVORITE movie of 2025.
The film follows Sarah (Margot Robbie) and David (Colin Farrell), who initially meet at a wedding, and go on a journey time traveling through different doors/moments of their lives together. Each door is a memory they are reliving with one another, and through this, they learn about each other’s deepest, darkest times, as well as some of their happiest.
Both Sarah and David are single, and the movie shows them falling in love. But the greater battle is them overcoming their fears and taking the risk to be vulnerable with each other despite their past experiences.
What I liked
This was SO refreshing to watch because it is an original screenplay, meaning I had no idea what was coming next. In a world full of remakes and reprises, it thrilled my soul to be fed something unique, something I’d never seen before.
I cannot tell you how much the entire premise of opening your life to someone, being vulnerable and taking the risks of love resonated with me. As a single gal who’s never experienced any kind of romantic love because of my own fears and unwillingness to be open, I NEEDED to hear this message.
I needed to hear and see that past experiences don’t have to have control of our lives, and that you should take the love that comes your way when you can.
The plot of the couple going from door to door was fascinating to me because I’ve often wondered, “What if I didn’t have to experience my life alone?”
My favorite moments were when Sarah and David time traveled through the doors and were able to understand their parents and why they are the way they are. Sarah gets to see her mom alive one last time and has the opportunity to ask her for relationship advice. David gets to see his dad waiting in the hospital when he was born, which we come to find out David had a heart problem that his parents never told him about because they didn’t want him to be concerned.
Not only are we seeing Sarah and David’s relationship unravel, but we are also seeing them come to a better understanding of themselves.
The use of color in the film was BREATHTAKING. The use of reds, blues and yellows gave a whimsical feel as Sarah and David went through their journey. The colors are also used as a sign for their characters’ evolutions, with Sarah wearing red until the end and David wearing blue until the end.
And the end of the film incorporated the song “Let My Love Open the Door.” HOW INTROSPECTIVE IS THAT?
The song perfectly encapsulates Sarah and David’s journey — love is a door you have to consciously open, even when fear tells you to stay locked away. When I heard this song start to play, I was covered in chills. It wasn’t just a song choice; it was what the whole film was trying to say. As a music lover, I can’t help but eat it up when a song fits a moment PERFECTLY, and sums up an entire movie in ONE singular line.
What I didn’t like
There is not A SINGLE THING I’d change about this movie. NOTHING. So it BEWILDERS me that all the reviews I’m seeing for “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” are saying that the film lacked depth. It makes me want to scream at these writers and ask, “Did we watch the same movie?”
Maybe this movie spoke to me in my single era, but this film has the power to relate to anyone in ANY stage of life. It’s not only about vulnerability and risks, but it’s also about grief and a parent’s love for their child.
I’m reminded of my favorite movie of ALL time, “Elizabethtown.” When director Cameron Crowe released this film, it got TERRIBLE reviews, and yet, I’ve never felt more connected to a film in my entire life. That’s the movie that made me fall in love with cinema.
While big name publications are dogging on this film, I saw director Kogonada’s vision — and I know I can’t be the only one who did.
The verdict
I’m rating “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” FIVE out of five stars, making it only the second film in my Big Screen Verdict career to receive the honor.
With BIG emotions, BOLD colors and BEAUTIFUL vulnerability, you’re absolutely crazy if you don’t give this film a shot. Take the risk to watch something not everyone is raving about, and I PROMISE you won’t be disappointed.
