Goya's Ghosts (2006) REVIEW - R | 1h 53min Drama

 

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.”