I was actually enjoying Goya's Ghosts right up to the point where they released Ines (Natalie Portman) from prison. Then it just seemed like a farce, with her gurning her way through the rest of the film in a less than convincing way (to say the least).
She had been Goyas's model, until she was imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition (who nobody expected) and tortured for following Jewish rituals (not eating pork).
Brother Lorenzo (an excellent, thoughtful, and brooding Javier Bardem) agrees to assist Goya (and Ines's family), to try and get her released, but succumbs to his desires when praying with her (she is, after all, naked).
Lorenzo defends the Inquisition and 'The Question', until he is put to 'The Strappado' himself, after which he confesses to being a monkey, and then disappears, only to return later with the all conquering French army (and a smug grin on his face, seeking revenge).
Ines (and the other prisoners), is released and searches, (with the help of Goya) for the child she said she had in prison (Lorenzo's).
There is a lot of turmoil around the Peninsular War, but the only thing in the film worse than the gurning and shuffling, is Alicia, the unbelievably toothy child of Ines (also played by Portman), when she is eventually found.
She came across like a bad Spitting Image caricature of Janet Street Porter back in the midsts of time.
If l had stopped watching the film after an hour, l would have recommended it, but it just gets sillier and sillier as it goes along.
It all ends badly, as Ines is pretty insane, Goya goes death, and Lorenzo is garrotted.
Bardem was great all the way through, but that was it, as l could take or leave the portrayal of Goya.
Interesting at first (albeit mostly fiction), then crap (but with a funky hat).
As a footnote, rather sadly, 'The Strappado' is still used as a torture device today (including by the USA).
toodle pip
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