Entering the Mandalay railway station dressed in a groom’s suit, holding flowers and sipping a drink, Edward (Gonçalo Waddington) boards a train. Aboard, he spends the night dreaming while travelling to Rangoon, the capital of Burma. When Edward arrives at dawn in Rangoon, he feels frustrated because he can’t recall the details of his last dream. Through narration, we learn that it has been seven years since Edward last saw his fiancée, Molly (Crista Alfaiate). He has often tried to remember her face but doubts whether he can recognise her after all this time. If he had his way, Edward would prefer to disappear. Ultimately, he decides to abandon the flowers and sneak onto a ship headed for Singapore on January 4, 1918. This marks the beginning of Edward’s Grand Tour.
When Edward makes a stop and meets up with his cousin, he receives a telegram from his fiancée, Molly. This spurs him on to continue his travels rather than to linger. Trying to escape, Edward arrives in a village where the locals are not very talkative and hires a guide to take him to Bangkok. Despite his efforts to escape, Edward finds that Molly is constantly following his every move, continually sending him telegrams. His nerves are on edge, and he keeps running away out of fear. Will Edward and Molly reunite, or will he successfully evade her while enjoying his private Grand Tour?
The film was directed by Miguel Gomes, who is known for his previous works, including Tabu (2012), The Tsugua Diaries (2022), and Our Beloved Month of August (2008), among others. Grand Tour is a drama and romance film. Given its historical context, it can also be classified as a historical story. The movie offers a unique cinematic experience I found unexpected before watching and features footage from various locations, including Bangkok and Japan. As viewers, we observe people within the communities Edward explores going about their daily lives while simultaneously receiving narration and updates about Edward and Molly’s journeys. Although we see Edward and Molly throughout the film, the storytelling is primarily visual, relying more on imagery and narration than dialogue and lead actors. This distinctive approach to storytelling may not appeal to all viewers, but it’s certainly a different style of conveying a narrative.
The visuals in this film are truly remarkable, and Gomes has captured a wealth of stunning footage that is deserving of a big-screen experience. The film features a mix of black-and-white and colour footage, both a creative and emotionally resonant choice. However, the story is a different matter. Although the visuals are strong, the story’s presentation is somewhat dull. It is explained in depth through narration, almost resembling an audiobook, which makes this storytelling approach less engaging for a film. Instead of following Edward throughout his journey, we see a series of images accompanied by narration, which can make the movie feel lengthy and monotonous. However, you may find this film more appealing if you appreciate world travel or movies with a heavily artistic flair. Given its over two-hour runtime, and the focus on visuals and various locations, I must admit that I found it quite challenging to sit through during my first viewing, and I doubt I would return to it anytime soon.
Overall, Grand Tour is more than just a film; it’s a visual experience filled with stunning imagery and captivating footage. While it tells a romantic story infused with drama, this narrative is conveyed through powerful narration and performances. The film’s visuals genuinely engage the audience. It feels like a blend of storytelling, documentary, and historical exploration due to its locations and periods. If you have a passion for history, travel and artistic films, you’ll likely find this film immensely rewarding. However, if you’re expecting a straightforward love story, you might share my opinion that the film can feel like a slog. The story begins strong but loses momentum as it progresses, making the runtime lengthy. Despite this, it’s still enjoyable, though I’m sure opinions will vary.
Grand Tour (2024) is Available in Australian Cinemas from February 12th!
FILM SCORE: 6.0/10
Published: 5th February 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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