Vicky Cristina Barcelona Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
Life is the ultimate work of art
Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.
| Rebecca Hall | Vicky |
| Scarlett Johansson | Cristina |
| Christopher Evan Welch | Narrator |
| Chris Messina | Doug |
| Patricia Clarkson | Judy Nash |
| Kevin Dunn | Mark Nash |
| Julio Perillán | Charles |
| Juan Quesada | Guitarist in Barcelona |
| Richard Salom | Art Gallery Guest #1 |
| Maurice Sonnenberg | Art Gallery Guest #2 |
| Javier Bardem | Juan Antonio |
| Manel Barceló | Doctor |
| Josep Maria Domènech | Julio Josep |
| Emilio de Benito | Guitarist in Asturias |
| Jaume Montané | Juan Antonio's Friend #1 |
| Woody Allen |
7.90 out of 10 (5213 votes)
Visitor Reviews
If you like Woody Allen, you will like this movie.
posted on 27 Aug 2009Many Woody Allen films are less likely to have a story that has a "resolution", instead will be more "slice of life" stories. But "slice of life" of rather ordinary, honest, faithful people isn't that interesting so he makes them rather unusual and quirky. This is that type of movie.Rebecca Hall as Vicky and Scarlett Johansson as Cristina are university students who have the opportunity to spend two months in Spain. Vicky is traditional and is engaged to a traditional man back in New York, and they plan to have a traditional wedding and a traditional life, all in all predictable and some think boring.Christina, on the other hand, is just about the opposite of all that. She has a more wild zest for life and the experiences it can provide. She is more likely to experiment when the opportunity presents itself.But both Vicky and Christina are having a nice, pleasant visit until one evening at a function they encounter Javier Bardem (evil guy in "No Country for Old Men") as Spanish artist Juan Antonio Gonzalo. He is the type that doesn't exist in reality, but here he is charming, intelligent, witty, sexy and ... forward. He very calmly tells the two friends that he would like to have sex with both of them, at the same time. Instead of anyone becoming offended, they have an Allen-esq discussion about it.All that results in their flying off in a small plane to another location. Some interactions result. Then what starts out as a rather nice developing love affair between Christina and Juan Antonio is thrown into turmoil by Penélope Cruz as Maria Elena , the recent former wife of Juan Antonio. (Cruz has received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for this role.) A feature of this movie is Christopher Evan Welch (whom we never see) as Narrator. While this feature of the movie has been widely criticized by some, I found it a rather nice way to augment the story without having to interpret everything a character might be doing.When the 90-minute movie is over, we observe that all the characters have been changed by the experiences, but they mainly continue in the directions they were headed as the story began. Just an interesting, somewhat perverted, slice of life story. For my tastes it is somewhat overrated.
An advertisement for Vacationing in Spain
posted on 27 Aug 2009Vicky Cristina Barcelona Woody Allen can add another masterpiece to his collection with VCB. Allen is remarkable in catching the beauty of Spain, and the beauty of his characters at the same time. Once again Allen takes on the topic of relationships, but this time he makes his characters even more disoriented with what love really is. Javier Bardem, fresh off his stellar performance in No Country for Old Men, plays Juan Antonio a Spanish painter. Antonio is the prototypical "Don Juan" and he oozes with European masculinity. It takes no time for the friends Vicky and Cristina to both fall under his spell. The perplexing love triangle turns into a "love square" when Antonio's volatile ex-wife (Penelope Cruz) reappears into his life. Allen does such fascinating job at showcasing the culture and landscape of Spain, that it makes every viewer want to jump on a flight to Barcelona tomorrow. Strong acting performances make this the best Allen movie since Match Point. 9/10
Brief wonderful trip to Barcelona
posted on 25 Aug 2009Take a sojourn for a couple of hours to the romantic streets and country side of Barcelona. The beige pastel landscapes, the enchanted dreamlike streets, the surreal Gaudi monuments and amorous cafes all evoke a romantic escapade in Barcelona. Scenery and setting are an integral part of Woody's great films. As we typically see in Woody's films, like the movie Manhattan, where the sleepy streets and sites of grey, nostalgic New York take on a character of its own as the human characters discourse in front of it, we again feel his new European locale as though we are there ourselves. We are shown a lot of the defining sites of the culturally rich city.Woody is a genius at capturing the mindset of people, of the times, especially with regards to courting etiquette and he continues to brilliantly totally possess an understanding of and be able to pierce into contemporary times. He understands and documents real human emotion and these real people draw us into his movies and this one. He does it with a literary flair and although people don't actually talk like how he portrays them, it is amusing to listen to the literary rich dialogue. The movie resonates with Woody's philosophy and commentary with a tad of humor on his current theme of love and passion. By utilizing two contrasting personalities with contrasting view points on love and passion, woody makes an intriguing commentary on the subject. One with an indulgently bohemian outlook, boldly and constantly searches for the possibly unattainable or nearly impossible ideal which ultimately keeps her in hopeless situations and the other with a more conservative stance has more "grounded and settled" ideals and dubiously believes in the happily ever after bit. Both polar opposites are presented an amusingly similar circumstance and it is fun to see how the situation unfolds. Then Penelope Cruz's character emerges as a spicy twist to the story.There is less humor in his later great movies than in the early ones and there is no longer any slapstick. But he still enjoys poking fun at his characters and since they are so believable he is poking fun at real people in a satirical way.One of the most interestingly beautiful movies this year so far. And definitely one of Woody's best.
I've been waiting for the past 7 films to find the old woody.
posted on 25 Aug 2009I just got back from a free screening of this movie. Wonderful, brilliant, thought provoking, funny, great story in the way only Woody Allen could do. The acting was great, the writing was great, the story was great. As well as the fact that it wasn't a poor rehash of Crimes and Misdemeanors like Match Point and Cassandra's Dream. So refreshing on all levels. Javier Bardem embodies the character and truly allows me to forget about his role in Old Country. Patricia Clarkson, a gem as always. The girls were all great. Had not been impressed with Scarlett Johansson since Lost in Translation and was bored with her work in the last of his films but she held her own and did the part great. Penélope Cruz was wonderful, vibrate and funny especially when doing the Spanish. At 71 the man still has it and has rehashed the place in my heart where I hold his wonderful art. Simply happy and fulfilled. Thank you Woody!
DVD audio track without narrator please.
posted on 25 Aug 2009I think this movie would have been much better if watched for the first time on DVD with a narration-less audio track. The narrator's clumsy exposition was sometimes better done just a minute or so later by the characters, and most of the narration was completely unnecessary. I'd rather miss some of the character's thoughts than have the narrator tell, them, to, me. Even better would be an audio track that also doesn't repeat that Barcelona song so much.Spoilers: I didn't like Christina's hands during the breakup scene, and her Woody-like dialog didn't fit since that was more Vicky's thing - characters should be their own people and not all should have Woody's distinctive nervousness stutter and mannerisms. I understand the breakup's a tough thing for her character to do, but it was too much.Vicky's protests at Juan Antonio's proposal seemed way over the top. The lady should of course protest too much because of what happens later, but not that much.I thought Javier's performance and the dialog for his character was brilliant. I don't understand all the accolades for Penélope tho, surely it's easier to play that crazy person than a straight character? Patricia was wonderful, as always, in her small part.I'd like to rate it a 6.6: not quite 7, but too good for a 6.
Sadly Disappointing
posted on 17 Aug 2009This film left me scratching my head. As so many others have pointed out in these posts, the characters, without exception, are self-indulgent, spoiled, unlikeable hedonists who occupy their own tiny, self-absorbed worlds. While art, romance and relationships are intended (I suppose) to be examined and appreciated, the film succeeds only in trivializing and ridiculing anything of real value and merit.The film lacks any stamp of Allen's typical wit and humor. In fact, I'm hesitant even to call it a comedy since it would be cruel to laugh at people so vacuous and pathetic. Sadly, the script gives the normally stellar cast precious little from which to create believable characters -- the result being a hodgepodge of clichés and stereotypes. Mind you, glamorous and beautiful ones at that.
Terrifically boring
posted on 09 Aug 2009Characters undeveloped clichés (silly girl in search of passionate romance who will never know what she wants, her friend who thinks she wants the opposite but then feels bored, her shallow businessman fiancé, the passionate artist, the crazy artist who tries to kill herself), everything very predictable. Penelope Cruz's character was somewhat entertaining, but that was about it. I may have laughed once or twice. Barcelona is beautiful, but the location feels false and imposed upon the movie to make it more interesting. Famous locations were awkwardly dropped in like buzzwords.To put this in perspective, I am one who is indeed quite fond of the movies IMDb says appeal to those who enjoy this.
Sexy/Crazy/Cool - Allen returns to form; Cruz a lock for Best Supporting Actress
posted on 09 Aug 2009VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (2008) ***1/2 Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Penelope Cruz, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Dunn, Chris Messina. Woody Allen returns to form in this sexy/crazy/cool rom-com set in the exotique Barcelona where 2 Americans abroad (Johansson and Hall) are seduced by a rakish Spanish artiste (Bardem having a blast) only to become involved with a tangled relationship with his unbalanced ex-wife (Cruz, a lock for Best Supporting Actress, in one of her finest performances to date) in their bohemian lifestyle. Funny, smart, shrewd and neurotic – all Allen trademarks – with the European flavors at full force. The film only is demerited by the unwelcome narration by Christopher Evan Welch.
Didactic Doldrums
posted on 07 Aug 2009Here's a story... of a lovely lady... who wanted safety and predictability in her forthcoming marriage...And here also... is another lady... and all she wants is bohemian rhapsodies...Okay, there are certainly worse and duller Woody Allen movies, but this is nowhere even his modest achievements, and part of the problem is that Allen gives us no more than didactic sketches of his two main characters, Vicky and Christina, courtesy of an extremely tedious voice-over.Javier Bardem comes off as a little more three-dimensional, but not by much.Oddly, the day after I watched VCB in the theatre, I saw Edward Burns' 1996 SHE'S THE ONE for the first time. No one would ever think STO a masterpiece of social melodrama, but without a lot of cumbersome backstory Burns' story gave viewers characters that were well-thought out as characters standing on their own and in interaction with other characters.I wish Woody Allen could do this well again.
"A wonderful summer postcard from Spain"
posted on 05 Aug 2009From the first frame of the film when Vicky and Cristina walk out of the airport in Barcelona, to the engaging scenes and film that follows, I am haunted by the memory of Henry James novel The American and this time the setting is in Barcelona, with the adventures of Vicky and Cristina amusingly set out by Woody Allen with a top notch cast and tremendous dialog. Oh, to be young and adventurous again in Spain as an American! BARCELONA has such interesting twists and turns in relationships and the actors play against the personal dramas with great flair and humor. Javier Bardem is marvelous as the "Spanish Painter/Stud" and he makes it so convincing when he romances the females who pander to his masculinity and attractiveness. Penelope Cruz, hot off of ELEGY, is really a spark plug here, and Scarlett Johansson performs a role which reminded me of her character in LOST IN TRANSLATION, a film I loved.Patricia Clarkson, wonderful also in ELEGY, Kevin Dunn, Rebecca Hall and Chris Messina round out the cast with characters that all have their own issues to resolve. However, when the summer comes to an end, you wonder how the characters will start their lives again, and will they return to the magical times they all had in Barcelona? Bravo, Woody, for your "postcard from Spain".
Vicky and Cristina in Barcelona
posted on 30 Jul 2009Something happened to Woody Allen when he decided to abandon Manhattan, the setting of most of his films, for Europe. It seems Mr. Allen has found a new way to leave behind his angst in exchange for a new, somewhat less restrained sexual atmosphere in which to set his movies. This, of course, is a welcome relief. After all, Mr. Allen was getting in a rut with his last cinematic ventures.Every year thousands of young American college students invade Europe, either in exchange programs, or just enrolled in foreign language studies, or just vacationing in the Continent. Most of these kids come from conservative, and in many ways, puritanical backgrounds, probably having no sexual experience to speak of. Vicky and Cristina, two of those students, are seen in Barcelona where they undergo a somewhat sentimental education in a different milieu.While Vicky is less adventurous than her friend Cristina, both will be transformed by the meeting of the hunky Juan Antonio and his estranged wife, Maria Elena. Juan Antonio offers them sex, and even proposes to do it with both of them at the same time. Vicky, a more prudish girl, can't go along, but Cristina, the more adventuresome, doesn't even bat an eyelash when she gets together with him and the former wife, who is game for entering in a sexual triangle.This time though, the principal male figure, Juan Antonio, is an aggressive man, in contrast with other characters that have served Mr. Allen well in his American movies. Javier Bardem proves he can excel when he is guided with a sure hand, as is the case here. Penelope Cruz fares better than in most of her Hollywood previous work in a role that gives her an edge over the more passive parts she has played before.This is not to say there has not been sex involved in Mr. Allen's previous films. In showing a new freedom in how to present it on the screen, he has shied away from all the neurotic men and women that have been at the center of his work. This is a welcome development in a man who has decided to reinvent himself by getting away from his usual playing ground.
Not bad, but not so good either
posted on 28 Jul 2009I usually don't get Woody Allen movie. I think he is just a neurotic crazy director/writer, and I can picture him in real life is not much different from his character in "Annie Hall". I watch "Manhattan", "Hannah and her sister" a really long time ago, and if I didn't remember wrong, I was bored with the movie. The beautiful scene in Spain just make this movie worth watching. Just like some Italian think of "Under the Tuscan Sun" is so not realistic and portray nowadays Italy like 20 years ago. But the beautiful scene of Tuscany, Italy still make me love that movie.Anyway the Spanish artist keep yelling: "Speak English in this house" is not so realistic, yeah...cause most European use English in their home? And it very honestly portray the movie in the sense that yeah... This movie is from an American movie maker point of view making a film in an south European cities as a backgroundBut I come to sense that indeed there is still a lot of Woody Allen fan out there, and indeed he has this sarcastic sense of humor toward life. The over stereotype just is so ridiculous, it's actually funny. Maybe that's Woody Allen dark humor?And I was wondering why is Scarlett Johansson keep accepting the similar kind of character like in "Match Point", "Girl with a pearl earring", "The other Boleyn Girl" Ehm....I would like to see her in a more different character.Over all, it's a fun movie to watch, not too boring, not too great
The comic half of love stories
posted on 26 Jul 2009For sure Europe has made consistent changes in Woody's mind and all that's happening around him as an observer and as a misunderstood artist as well. Also seems that he wants to express it in a so intense way that all his best creative processes in the last 10 years are happening in Europe than when living in his loved Manhattan.It's obvious why his mind seems so much more clear and his movies seems so more coherent now than before. Manhattan is a concrete jungle surrounded by chaos and cars and people crossing streets and a place where you can find anything anytime anywhere, but you will never be able to find answers for inner questions. So it's always the search for an inexistent thing. In Europe, as things happens a little slower and everything in that continent has a cultural explanation for everything, or an intense artistic feeling for every moment, that's why most of the artists find themselves crossing the ocean. And we can feel that happens to Woody.I never appreciated his movies so much as now. Like I said, he seemed to me a totally chaos before Europe and now he seems a lot more coherent and expressive, and we are able to feel that. It's not like Woody is trying to be something else, he's there all the time with all his perfectionism and questionings, extracting from life the finner feelings that we are always trying to hide, but he is not that messy expressionist picture anymore.Vicky Cristina Barcelona is one of his best works because he unified all his discussions thru the years in a loose movie that carries you naturally over his own ideas and personal questions and fears that we all heard before. For me, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is the opposite of Match Point (2005), and both of them are what he was trying to express with Melinda And Melinda (2004) and its both sides of the same story, the comic one and the tragic one. While Match Point is the tragic one in London, VCB is the comic one in Barcelona. So, it was necessary two different movies in two totally different places to show what Melinda And Melinda fails a lot in Manhattan. But that is a totally Woody Allen thing, I mean... he never gives up an idea till the time he feels fully completed in satisfaction with it.Also is very interesting why he chose Spain as background of the comic love stories, because that country represents all about love clichés and the appreciation of a good wine in bucolic warm places surrounded by colors and history. That is another huge twist in a career that always suited in inexpressive cold places filled with whisk.But the most interesting fact of the movie - and each one of his European movies - is that there are always American characters searching for something outside their native country, and there are always other American characters always trying to push them back to that American way of life that those ones were trying to escape or forget someway. And that seems to me his consistent idea that no matter how better and creative he fells in Europe, there's always a foot in New York.It's unfair talk about how much better are the actors or the characters separately because all of them has a whole importance in Woody's mind and how they were able to express it in his own artistic ways. But the actors here perform their characters with sincere brilliance and they are so consistent and well directed that is refreshing.No doubt Woody keeps getting better and better thru the years and I'm rediscovering the pleasure to watch his movies all over again.
Charmed
posted on 24 Jul 2009Vicky Christina Barcelona, like good food or fine wine, lingers in the senses long after the movie. Vignettes stick in one's mind – in no particular order: 1. The beautiful sights and sounds of Barcelona, in a lovely yellow tint. Last time I remember it is the no less beautiful French countryside in A Good Year 2. A strictly right-side-of-the-brain movie with art and spontaneity and passion 3. Vicky's confused affections that cannot reconcile till the very end 4. Christina's clarity about choosing ambiguity in relationships 5. The torrid Hispanic Elena 6. The matter-of-fact narration that lets you draw you own conclusions, unhindered Watch the movie as a strictly sensory pleasure without judgment. With of course Woody Allen's masterful hand at depicting relationships
A Nutshell Review: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
posted on 24 Jul 2009Woody Allen seems to have a riot of a time making movies outside of New York, and truth be told, I find them pretty enjoyable, though some would argue I should revisit his earlier films to understand what's great. Then again, his "muse" Scarlett Johansson and a more contemporary cast are an interesting mix to gain a fresh following from a new generation of audiences like myself, lapping it up on Allen's wit, narrative creativity and candy eye cast.The reason why Barcelona was chosen, and hence in the title, was because the City had sponsored Allen to make his movie there. I guess if Uniquely Singapore would do so, this could have been Vicky Cristina Singapore. Then again, I suspect some boardroom terms and conditions might have made it very pro-tourism video like. Of some of the earlier co- productions I have seen with the Lion City's money pumped in, you can't help but feel that shots of our landmarks almost always come across as something made for corporate videos, and relied plenty on those tracking shots, or worse, dug out from archives.But in the hands of maestros, this feeling somehow doesn't even come into the picture. Landmarks become just another non-intrusive backdrop, or worked carefully that they become essential to the story without drawing attention to themselves. I guess we could all learn from this film how to do reward a city that graciously allows itself to be filmed and filmed using some of its investment.Vicky Cristina Barcelona is so titled because it is a tale of the two titular best friends Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) who spend their summer vacation in the Catalan city. It's an exploration of contemporary relationships using two characters whose view on love comes from total opposites. For Vicky, it's all built on the foundation of commitment, of being very structured and organized about it. For Cristina, a failed short filmmaker by her own standards, it's to take the bull by the horns, and to grab relationship opportunities in a rather cavalier manner.In a test of their resolve, they meet newly minted star Javier Bardem who plays Juan Antonio, a suave, witty and sweet talking painter who audaciously suggests that they travel with him, and thereafter sleep with him. For Vicky it is near impossible given that she's on the verge of getting married and a definite contradiction of her principles, but to Cristina, it is a plus point in have a complete stranger come up and telling them honestly what he wants to do with them. So begins the exploration of love and relationships in 3 acts.The start is a bit slow as Vicky gets to have a spanner thrown in her plans, that once you've tasted the forbidden fruit, you'll likely be clamouring for more. It's a wake up call and examination of a life that she thinks she wants to have, versus one that she probably would like to have and enjoy it a lot more. It's the classic tussle between freedom, and being shackled, of conforming to the idea that being successful means a good career with an equally career-successful husband, in an artificially created lifestyle involving small talk with colleagues/friends and the likes.Cristina's dalliance with Juan Antonio shows how their carefree attitudes and bohemian lifestyles might attract and inspire each other to greater heights and the pursuit of new dreams and skills, though I welcomed the arrival of Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) somewhere at the halfway point, feisty and temperamental ex-wife of Juan Antonio, as she stirs the pot a lot more, and truly the three of them engage in quite a parasitical lifestyle, feeding off one another's energy, sexual and otherwise.All the cast members perform up to expectations, though I reckon that Scarlett haters will continue to loathe her presence here. Javier Bardem does an about turn from his extremely dead serious role in No Country for Old Men, and here he's quite the Casanova in his pursuit of women. It doesn't have plenty of big moments and never lapses into melodrama. Events get presented as is, without the need to exaggerate, and it's always a plus point to have a dash of humour added as well in Allen's signature style. It might seem fresh and breezy on the outside, but underneath its veneer is some serious study into human romantic relationships that you'll be left pondering for some time after the end credits roll.
Interesting, with flawless performances from all actors.
posted on 24 Jul 2009Initially I was disappointed in this film and still am somewhat because Woody Allen doesn't explore anything new--nope,not at all. It is well done and does explore unmet expectations in relationships even if the expectation is not a conscious one for the person.I thought the Maria E. character was overdone--the mood swings were unexplained and one wonders why she was not(or was?) on any medication. The dialog was at times repetitive and just plain silly because it is in the manner of a Mills & Boone novel (and I have read many of them!) The narrator was annoying and enhanced the romance novel effect. And I was hoping that Vicky would somehow resolve her issue and find passion with her husband.However this movie is great if only because of the skill of the actors involved in the project. I think Scarlett J. is a fantastic actor and well cast as is Rebecca Hall. Interesting use is made of the various characters and what quality and what conflict they represent in the film. Maria E. out of control and passionate as well as very compassionate & perceptive in helping Christina discover her talent. Cristina, confused and vulnerable and yet the stabilizing influence in the Juan A./Maria E. drama. Vicky, sad, seeking, aware and unaware of her unmet needs. Juan A. the charming, devious (and honest--he admits he uses people) sociopath who is also, at times, kind and generous and (of all people) assists Vicky in finding part of her true self. Judy, the disappointed and yet wise. Juan's father, playing safe and yet isolated. The barely visible husbands who could be the unappreciated and reliable yet seemingly boring and unaware of their wives' conflict (I wouldn't be too certain of that, however!) Plus others whom I can't recall at the moment. The film is ultimately about the complexity of humans, their relationships, and the burdens a culture places on all of us.If you can overlook the annoying parts it is a fantastic film. See it!
Counter-intuitive love…Vicky Cristina Barcelona
posted on 22 Jul 2009I really love the poster for this film. I had to get that out there. The composition and motion is just stunning. Artistry orchestrated for just the right emotion and aesthetic, something you could say about the movie itself. Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a gorgeous piece to view. Not to disregard Woody Allen at all, but I have to credit this look to cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe. The man acted as DP on some of my favorite Spanish films—Hable con ella and Mar adentro—and now has me anticipating John Hillcoat's forthcoming The Road even more. Truthfully, besides the obligatory serif font, white on black, utilized in the opening credits, you would be somewhat hard-pressed to even realize that this is an Allen film. Europe definitely inspired the man and I'm happy for it. Whether the likes of Gaudio worked as a muse to him like they did to his characters, I don't know. What I do, though, is that he could never have made this film anywhere but in Barcelona. The beauty, the intrigue, the exoticness; they all overpower the people moving through the story as well as us watching it all unfold.Let me say something right off…I didn't really get this movie. I'm not even sure if there is something to get. On a purely aesthetic level, it is fantastic. The visuals, the art and culture on display, the use of language, and even a wonderfully successful third person narrator make this a creative and stimulating work. I don't want to belittle the writing or the story in any way; I just didn't quite get what we were being shown. Without ruining anything, not only do our characters finish at the same place from where they began, but also the narrator pretty much repeats his description from the start, at the close. Sure the events that occur shape their lives at that specific period of time, but neither really do anything about it. Maybe they learned something about themselves, maybe they experienced an intrinsic moment that will leave an indelible mark forever, but when all is said and done, both our leads, Vicky and Cristina, do not evolve. Whether it be a carefully planned out future or one filled with the knowledge of what she doesn't want, unknowing of what she does, our conclusion is so open-ended that it truly begs the question of if this story even needed to be told.Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed my time, and there lies my quandary. How can I enjoy something I don't feel was a necessity to be seen? How can I recommend something that I myself deem as inconsequential without any progression in plot? The answer of course is the beauty of that which is art. Art is in the eye of the beholder. What you see doesn't have to make complete sense; it doesn't have to make you happy, it may, in fact, absolutely incense you. The sheer ability to touch you in some unquantifiable way, some level of consciousness that you can't even comprehend is enough. To know it touched you without the need for reason can be more powerful than anything else. The emotions on screen, the relationships on display, all hit you viscerally and physically. The raw power of the love triangles and quadrangles stimulate the mind more than any linear tale of young Americans finding their way in a foreign land. Life is messy and irrational; Allen sees this and paints his canvas like such.The mixture of intellectual conversation, the brilliance of Javier Bardem's Juan Antonio seducing these women, not with his looks, but with his soul, is a refreshing thing to behold. His brazen confidence laced with a passion and vigor for life is a powerful weapon. While all he needs is sexual power and exotic backgrounds to woo Cristina, (Scarlet Johansson's free spirited roaming soul), he can still entrance Vicky, (Rebecca Hall's amazing turn as the rationally sheltered woman unable to follow her feelings), with his rhetoric and intellect, stories of poets and love for simple music done well, even at twelve in the morning. Never confused about what he wants, Bardem is bluntly honest at all times. He does not shy from the fact he still loves his ex-wife, nor that he is attracted to both girls. Always truthful, he is a genuine lover of life, if something doesn't work out at least he had his time of happiness. One can't dwell in pain or loss, as no one knows what path the future holds. What might not have worked now doesn't necessarily have to be broken later on.Along with the visuals come these gem performances. Bardem is amazing as the puzzle piece linking everything together, stirring the pot while also being its most important ingredient. Johansson, I must say, was really good. She never annoyed me and effectively played the naïve American, thinking she is this open spirit without the knowledge of what practicing her thoughts could lead to. She may not be as open in love as she thought, but then without the experience how could she ever know? As for Hall, I have to say she was somewhat of a revelation. The one actor I was in the dark about outshone them all with her range of emotion, hiding behind her safe life and husband while torn inside about the passion she desires, but is too afraid to consume. And I must mention Penelope Cruz who comes in like a whirlwind and never stops. She is the wild card in this little game, acting as both the glue and volatile fire. None of these four could be removed from the machine and still achieve success. Allen has crafted a tight web of romance that, while it may not lead anywhere, still brings forth a journey worth taking. If nothing else it's a beast befitting a voyeuristic glance.
Allen Finds His Romantic and Artistic Muse in Spain with a Sharp, Eclectic Cast
posted on 22 Jul 2009From a thematic standpoint, Woody Allen's latest film offers nothing we haven't already seen in his earlier work like "Manhattan" and "Hannah and Her Sisters". Like those classics and several lesser efforts, this 2008 romantic dramedy is a distilled examination of why men and women long for romance and how we fluidly fall in and out of love as a result, often with dire consequences and not without personal humiliation. What makes this entry particularly welcome is the full-blooded infusion of Spanish art and architecture that brings an emotional ripeness to the story. It also helps that Allen has gathered a more eclectic cast than usual to inhabit the richly developed characters. This is easily the most enjoyable film he has made since going abroad and probably his funniest since at least 2000's "Small Time Crooks".The plot focuses on two American college friends, polar opposites on the subject of love, as they vacation in Barcelona for the summer. As the conservative one who values stability and devotion, Vicky is there to study "Catalan Identity" as she waits to return to the states to marry Doug, an ambitious young man who maps out their future with a stifling lack of spontaneity. Failed filmmaker Cristina, on the other hand, is a romantic adventurer who craves unbridled passion with no limits. Their differing perspectives on love clash immediately when they both catch the eye of renowned abstract painter Juan Antonio. He makes a supremely self-confident proposition to Vicky and Cristina to join him on a romantic weekend trip to Oviedo, a picturesque town near the northern coast. Naturally, Vicky is appalled and makes no bones in telling him so, but Cristina is excited by the idea of being seduced by him. They agree to go with him and face unexpected consequences. Things get even more complicated when Juan Antonio's tempestuous ex-wife Maria Elena shows up and forces him to face his weaknesses.Part of the resulting roundelay feels like a throwback to Allen's "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy", but there is also a palpable sense of melancholy more reminiscent of his mid-period films like "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and "Husbands and Wives". What remains consistent throughout is the filmmaker's incurable romanticism, a freshly optimistic viewpoint that makes the film thoroughly pleasurable despite the familiar set-up. The performances are terrific beginning with Rebecca Hall, a surprising find as Vicky, a young woman who thought she knew what she wanted only to find out too late that it's not what she wants at all. As a typical Allen heroine, Hall lets her initially strident manner as Vicky give way to a resonating sadness. As for Scarlett Johansson, the third time's definitely a charm. In "Match Point", Allen exploited her effortless sensuality, while he tried to make her a fumbling Diane Keaton copy in "Scoop". As Cristina, however, she gets to blend together her carnal allure and comic insecurity in a more seamless fashion. She has a wonderfully funny moment when she just can't control her titillation at Juan Antonio's proposal in the restaurant.For those who have only recently been introduced to his mesmerizing work by way of his maniacal killer in the Coen Brothers' "No Country for Old Men", Javier Bardem is completely convincing as Juan Antonio, a man who effortlessly controls the fates of the three women enraptured by his sensual manner and open soul. Unlike a shallower actor like Antonio Banderas, Bardem manages to move between smoldering and vulnerable with fluency. As Maria Elena, Penélope Cruz finally comes into her own in a non-Almodóvar film. Taking the concept of a tortured artist to an extreme, the actress blazes with dangerous vitality, even though the role is relatively minor. She brings visceral life to the combative relationship between her and Juan Antonio, and at the same time, displays a sharp Allenesque wit, especially when she slyly ridicules Cristina in Spanish during their tension-filled conversations. The always-reliable Patricia Clarkson is quietly effective as a family friend of Vicki's with secrets of her own, while Chris Messina conveys the right level of unctuous smarminess as Doug.The film is beautiful to look at thanks to the luscious, sun-dappled cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe. With Gaudi's most famous work on display, Barcelona could hardly look more appealing on film. Just as evocative is the atmospheric music by a bevy of contemporary Spanish composers. The one aspect that doesn't work quite as well as intended is Christopher Evan Welch's stentorian narration, which lacks the right level of irony to make the ploy worthwhile. Most of the time, it comes across as a conceit to explain parts of the narrative that seem clear enough from the scenes. Regardless, this is a genuine return to form for Allen and well worth seeing for fans.
This is not a sad movie
posted on 22 Jul 2009It's awesome how Allen achieves to display such sad, intense, and disturbing plot as a light and even curious turn of events. I personally disagree in labeling this movie as a sad one. Even though we can find polygamist relationships and a lot of insanity it's easy to identify with all four of the characters at at some point. The result: we can find ourselves comfortable with a natural search for stability. Confortable with jealousness and desire of monogamy. Confortable with the need of passion in life brought by new feelings and experiences. Enchanting and infinite number of possible combinations can be made from this characters.We won't find as much great long dialogues as we can in other Allen's films. However we'll end up loving the description of Barcelona and the attempt of falling for the "Catalan Identity" through the film.
Woody should have done the voice-over
posted on 27 Aug 2009A perfectly enjoyable movie by Woody Allen, arguably one of the most under-appreciated directors in contemporary America. The story of two close friends during a summer vacation in Barcelona continues Allen's recent streak of movies set in Europe. This isn't Manhattan, but the backdrop shots are beautiful nonetheless. The two main characters couldn't be different, though during the movie their reactions to events begin to crossover to some extent, at least for a while. Excellent performance by Penélope Cruz, who I think is a much more convincing actress when she acts in Spanish, I guess not surprisingly. But the movie's major attraction is an understated but superb performance by Rebecca Hall, playing Vicky. Also of note Javier Bardem, playing the Spanish Latin lover. One complaint: the narrator voice should have been Allen's. You can just hear him coming through loud and clear, even though that's not his voice.