Goya s Ghosts (2007)

Set against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition, GOYA'S GHOSTS explores the lives of the famous painter, his muse, and a conflicted monk. Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgard, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END) is a controversial figure in 1792 Madrid, but it's his innocent model Inés (Natalie Portman, V FOR VENDETTA) who draws the attention of the Inquisition. Her beauty also catches the eye of an ardent monk, Brother Lorenzo (Javier Bardem, THE SEA INSIDE), but the efforts of both Goya and her admirer cannot save her from years of torture and imprisonment.

This is Milos Forman's first film since 1999's MAN ON THE MOON, but the period detail of GOYA'S GHOSTS is more reminiscent of the director's Oscar-winning AMADEUS. Costumes and makeup reflect both the wealth and poverty of the era, adding glamour or grime to the turbulent times. Forman has always worked with talented actors in the past, including Jack Nicholson in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST and F. Murray Abraham in AMADEUS, who earned Oscars and accolades for their performances. The trio of lead actors in this film continues that tradition, with Bardem being particularly worthy of praise. His Brother Lorenzo is a complex character, neither totally good nor totally evil, and Bardem inhabits the role perfectly. With these strong performances and the film's attention to detail, GOYA'S GHOSTS paints a realistic and sad portrait of one of history's darkest times.