A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

“A Big, Beautiful Journey” opens with a man (Colin Farrell) preparing to travel to a friend’s wedding. He needs to rent a car and is persuaded to use the GPS. Though reluctant at first, he agrees. When he arrives at the wedding, he meets a beautiful woman (Margot Robbie) who, coincidentally, lives in the same town as him. They’ve never met before, but after a brief exchange it’s clear there’s obvious chemistry. Still, they go their separate ways, until the GPS poses a single question: Do you want to go on a big, beautiful journey? From there, the story unfolds.

Let’s start with to the story itself. What a whimsical and creative way to present past trauma through the lens of a new relationship. The acting of Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie is understated and simple, allowing the story itself to shine. There are tender moments, the cinematography is so intentional, and the direction is clear. Many viewers will relate to what the director is trying to convey, and it is executed well.

As for objectionable content, swearing is the biggest distraction. There is blasphemous language throughout, which feels completely unnecessary. The film already had a beautiful, creative way of telling its story, and the language often pulled me out of the experience.

Looking at the film from a Biblical perspective, it touches on love and loss but leans on a nihilistic view rather than a moral or Christian one. It portrays infidelity, lust, and relationships through the lens of relative morality.

As Christians, we understand that true morality is objective, that right and wrong are not subjective, that sex has a God-given place, and that relationships should be pursued with the goal of marriage, not simply for pleasure. Those lessons were absent here, and the film could have been something truly great if the director had chosen to reflect them.

As for a recommendation, it’s difficult to dislike this film. It’s not only a raw representation of relationships and trauma, but it also highlights the beauty of finding hope in another person. Still, the swearing and blasphemous language are real distractions.

• Language:— • F-words (30+) • Humping • Pr*ck • S-words (multiple) • Cr*p (multiple) • J*sus Chr*st • J*sus • G*d • “Swear to G*d” • Holy ___ • A**hole • D*mn • D*mn it • H*ll
• Nudity: Moderate— • Shirtless male • Woman changes clothes in backseat of a car, but only her bare shoulders are seen • Jokes about peeking • Cleavage • Revealing dress
• Violence: Moderate— • Deer run over in a roll over car crash • Woman attempts to stab man’s hand with a fork • “I’m gonna kill you” a woman says to a man
• Sex: Mild— • Mention of fornicating relationship between student and professor • References to cheating on a partner and hurting them • Kissing • Sensual dancing • After a wedding there is shot through a hotel window of a man and woman who met at the wdding, and the man removes his shirt as he approaches her on the bed (nothing else shown) • Teen boy excited at the possibility of having sex tonight
• Drugs/Alcohol: Mild— • Wine drinking • Smoking
• Wokeism: Mild
• Occult: None

Learn about DISCERNMENT, wisdom in making personal entertainment decisions

Every time you buy a movie ticket or buy or rent a video you are in effect casting a vote telling Hollywood, “I’ll pay for that. That’s what I want.” Read our article

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.