"A Big Bold Beautiful Journey": New Margot Robbie Film Already Flopping Before Release with 52% on RT

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Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell were meant to be autumn's main romantic duo.

But instead of applause, "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" managed only 52% "fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes and a measly 41 points on Metacritic.

With just days left before its international release on September 19th, critics are already delivering their verdict: pretty visuals, empty substance.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey trailer

What's the movie about

Sarah ( ) and David (Colin Farrell) meet at a mutual friend's wedding. Sudden attraction blooms into a "big bold beautiful journey" where they'll relive key moments from their past and figure out how they ended up where they are now. And maybe get a shot at a future together.

Sounds like a touching drama about second chances, but viewers and critics are unanimous in their complaints: the characters feel too artificial, and the romantic storyline comes off as saccharine and unconvincing.

What critics are saying

  • "A failed attempt at making a romantic fantasy film," writes IndieWire.
  • Blu-ray.com calls the Robbie-Farrell pairing "unsuccessful" and notes the actors have zero on-screen chemistry.
  • The Film Verdict sums it up: "This tedious spectacle, where all screen time feels like it's in quotation marks, represents one of the most egregious wastes of talent in recent memory."
Some did defend the film. HollywoodInToto notes there's still life in the Robbie-Farrell pairing, while Deadline critics find individual scenes "engaging."

Several reviewers compare director Kogonada's style to a Broadway production: bright, musical, but too theatrical for cinema.
Actors Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell stand in casual clothes on a ship's deck watching the sunset
Still from A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
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Surprisingly, even positive reviews sound more like apologies: "yes, the film is strange, but it's beautiful," "yes, the plot is simplistic, but the visuals are memorable." The Guardian notes viewers will have to work to believe this story, while Screen International puts it bluntly: "too contrived to evoke genuine emotion."

Our verdict

"A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" clearly didn't live up to expectations. What should have been a grand romantic drama with Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell turned out overly artificial and predictable, despite its visual style.

Some might see it as a beautiful fairy tale about second chances, but most viewers probably won't be willing to take this journey to the end. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com told you about a new Matthew McConaughey film that actually managed to please audiences.