THE PREMISE:

"Two strangers who meet at a mutual friend's wedding have the chance to relive important moments from their pasts, illuminating the path that led them to the present and gaining the opportunity to change their futures." 

OUR MOVIE REVIEW:

Have you ever had a vivid dream where you end up going to multiple familiar places where you have distinct memories and you feel like you are reliving that moment? That is what A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is like–a glimpse into past lives, figuring out if you had a chance to relive these very specific and monumental moments, whether they are magical or devastating, how would you re-do it? Would you be different knowing what your current day person knows about themselves now and how these moments had a lasting impact on the rest of their lives? 

Sarah (Margot Robbie) and David (Colin Farrell) are introduced at a wedding of a mutual friend where it is an obvious set up. The two are friendly and flirty but quickly they agree they are meant to remain single and they are not right for each other. The push and pull of their desires give the momentum for their interactions but they ultimately stay the course because of a silly little transportation mishap that they have in common and they used to get to the wedding.  

The best part about this film is its whimsy. There are moments where the tone and genre bounce from musical to fantasy to romance. Some parts feel a bit disjointed and I wish there would have been a better way to set up the story than forcing the suspension of belief on how Sarah and David end up meeting and taking this fantasy journey to reminisce about their pivotal life moments. If you dig deeper with this theme, you realize this is what genuinely falling in love looks like with someone - meeting them where they are and learning about the moments in their lives that make them who they are today and accepting them no matter how they would go back and re-do things if given the chance. Also, knowing that no matter what path took them on the journey to meet each other, is knowing that the path will bring them together, by chance or luck or timing they will end up together because it works and is meant to be for them. Another big theme throughout is overcoming risk and fear to get to a place with acceptance within your self to be able to love and accept outwardly. 

The only thing that did not fully work for me was the romantic chemistry between Sarah and David. At times, their relationship seemed like it was more of a friendship type of love rather than being madly in love. However, Sarah and David’s flirty banter is off the charts, and this is where their chemistry shines the most. Eventually, their bond heightens to the romance and love level, but I can’t help but think it felt a bit off for some reason; maybe a second watch will change my mind. 

Overall A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is made for the hopeless romantic viewer, playing on whimsy and a full heart of hope to tell its story.