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Somewhere, Spanish painter Francisco Goya is wondering, “Why me? Why me?” in this confusing film that supposedly gives the background of some of his famous paintings. Goya was an 18th-century painter and lived at the time the Inquisition rose in Spain. In this screenplay by Jean-Claude Carriere, Goya (played by the woefully miscast Stellan Skarsgard) meets various patrons and becomes involved in their lives. The film has him as an outsider, privy to secrets and with so many friendships (because of his creative portraits) that he is virtually untouchable.

The movie begins with Goya painting yet another portrait of Ines’ (Natalie Portman), the daughter of a rich Spanish merchant. She is apparently Goya’s muse and he finds himself able to do great work. Unfortunately, Inquisition spies are everywhere and they are lead by a dedicated priest, Brother Lorenzo (Javier Bardem). Ines’ is taken prisoner, tortured and languishes in prison. She didn’t like the taste of pork and this was noticed. Efforts to get her released fail, though Goya tries to help. In the meantime, Ines’ family humiliates Brother Lorenzo and he leaves town at the same time the French are conquering Spain and the Inquisition is over. Ines’ is released, and finds devastation everywhere. Who is now the head of helping the French rule Spain? Why Brother Lorenzo, of course, not a priest anymore, but a married man and one who knows when to change sides to his advantage. Goya is still painting. There is revenge at work, plus dealing with the effects of one’s judgments. We see the Inquisition ruled by torture and that answers given under torture were considered by the Inquisitors to be true answers.

Stellan Skarsgard is a fine actor, but plays Goya like a buffoon. He always looks as though he wants to tell a joke. Every noble wants their portrait painted by him, and in one humorous scene, Queen Maria Louisa (Blanca Portillo) is shown her portrait. This is done to the amusement of her husband King Carlos II, a buffoonish performance by Randy Quaid, who looks as though he is ready to jump on a horse and yell “Yippee.” Natalie Portman gets to play Ines’ as a young woman, an old woman and her own daughter. She is hardly recognizable as an old woman, with a jaw line that is out of place and matted hair. In fact, she looks like someone from the cast of “The Addams Family.” Javier Bardem is the priest who changes sides like a chameleon and it’s only when confronted with his past, does he do definitive acting.

Costumes are quite well done, as is set design and photography. The music leaves something to be desired. Not only is it overwhelming, but I’d like to know what Ottorino Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” was doing in a Spanish film. It just didn’t fit in.

All in all, Goya’s Ghosts was a disappointment. Apparently, we were to see that behind the portraits of this famous artist were stories to be told. After almost two hours, I didn’t care.

Copyright 2007 Marie Asner
Submitted 9/13/07