Goya's Ghosts (2006) R | 1h 53min
Drama
Stars: Javier Bardem, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgård
No one under age 18. This film shows us how people are overwhelmed
by circumstance. Goya is an observer or
witness if you will of his time. The protagonist of the story is Lorenzo the priest,
whose life is totally changed by big historical events. Goya's Ghosts could be those who he witnessed
and was obsessed with. He desired to help
but the best he could do was paint what he saw.
The film shows that we are all pawns of history, who strut and fret on
the stage of life and then are gone. This is exactly what Solomon wrote about in
Ecclesiastes. The trick is to find meaning
in the chaos. Not meaning created in our
own minds, but finding the One who created mankind and who loves His creation
too much to leave us alone. Some say “where
is God?” He is where he has always been
right there with us on the cross and in our good times and bad. This story illuminates the folly of any regime. The film sends us to another time and place as if seen through Francisco de
Goya's eyes.
The film teaches us that
principles and ideas have consequences.
And ultimately, it’s the people that do harm as a result. Characters are
very human, with many flaws. If we are honest,
we find ourselves even relating to the villains of the story.
The same goes for
guns. Guns don’t kill people; people
kill people. More people die each year
in motor vehicles than by guns, but no one wants motor vehicles banned.
Even when Jesus was on
this earth false teachers abounded spreading lies and exploiting people for
their own dark motives. When we bathe a child,
we don’t throw them out with the dirty bath water. In the same reasoning we should not throw out
all religion just because most religions are false. There is truth to be found and a relationship
to be had with the One True God through His son Jesus Christ. To blame God for the Spanish Inquisition
would be the equivalent of blaming your doctor for your ulcer.
The film also has the
Karma law of the harvest vibe. Lorenzo’s
sins seem to catch up with him no matter what country is invading Spain. One thing we can all agree on is this world
is a cruel place at times and full of pain and heart ache regardless of social
status.
The movie shows us
reality, but not the answer to life’s greatest questions of origin, meaning,
morality, and destiny. I will fill in
that gap here in my review for anyone who cares to continue.
Jesus Christ is the
answer and calls us all to die to self and come to Him. Jesus never forced anyone to believe or do anything. He simply offers us a choice. Here it is in His own words:
Matthew 11: 18-30
For
John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by
a demon.’ 19The Son of
Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton
and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom
is shown to be right by its results.”
20Then Jesus began to
denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they
hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. 21“What
sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had
been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their
sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads
to show their remorse. 22I tell
you, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.
23“And you
people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the
place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in
wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24I tell
you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
25At that time Jesus prayed
this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these
things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them
to the childlike. 26Yes,
Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
27“My Father
has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father,
and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son
chooses to reveal him.”
28Then Jesus said, “Come to
me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my
yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. 30For my
yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
