Although I keep forgetting how much I enjoy his work, I've been a fan of Miguel Gomes since I saw his wonderful and dreamy Tabu. I've not kept up with the entirety of his career, but I have mostly been pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon another film helmed by him.
Grand Tour feels like a bit of a travelogue, at least throughout the first half of the movie. It then uses the differing experiences of two main characters to show how we can all go on a very different journey through life, even if we're seeming to walk along the very same paths and trails. Gomes may make you wait a while until things look to be heading towards some kind of resolution, but patient viewers are amply rewarded.
Gonçalo Waddington plays Edward, a civil servant who finds himself with an extreme case of cold feet on the day he is due to marry Molly (Crista Alfaiate). He decides to do some travelling instead, but his "holiday" is tinged with fear, paranoia, and a sadness regarding his actions. Molly follows in Edward's wake, and is often amused by his misadventures, but Molly also connects with others in a way that Edward does not.
Having co-written the screenplay with three other collaborators, Gomes does a very good job of exploring some weighty themes with a light touch that helps the 129-minute runtime to pass by breezily enough. The black and white cinematography is gorgeous throughout, and there are occasional splashes of colour interrupting things, and it was a great idea to focus on Edward in the first half of the movie before then allowing us to spend time with the much more pleasant and upbeat Molly.
Waddington and Alfaiate are both very good in the lead roles, the former stuck in the midst of his negative aura while the latter flits here and there like a reflected sunbeam that wavers whenever a cool breeze creates a ripple through the shadows and light. Other people come and go, but very few make a strong impact. They are very much weaving in and out of a story made for two. Lang Khé Tran does very good work though, as does Cláudio da Silva, both becoming an important part of Molly's journey.
Those familiar with the concept of the Grand Tour itself will find even more to enjoy here, the juxtaposition of varying experiences showing us differences created by gender, personality, intent, and whatever historic baggage is carried around. Gomes delivers a treat here that actually pairs very nicely with the aforementioned Tabu, and it's something that is able to work on a number of different levels, from the superficial sight-seeing imagery to the deconstructive commentary on traditions and global history.
9/10
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