By Jen McNeely

Director: Woody Allen

Cast: Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Patricia Clarkson, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall

In A Nutshell: Two American girls, Vicky and Cristina (respectively played by talented newcomer Rebecca Hall and classic beauty Scarlett Johansson) arrive in Barcelona for a summer of much learning and unpredictable adventure. While dining quietly in a restaurant, they are approached by dark and handsome stranger; Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem). The confident artist proposes the three of them to fly with him to Oviedo for a weekend of great food, culture and lovemaking.

Practical and soon to be married, Vicky confronts Juan Antonio with shock and aggressive protest, while dreamy eyed Cristina, is quickly charmed with his grab life by the balls maneuvering.

Amongst the night time guitar strumming, wine sampling, and hushed historical secrets in the picturesque seaside escape; a somewhat awkward love triangle forms.

Back in Barcelona, Cristina shacks up with Juan and is overjoyed with the bohemian lifestyle she’s fallen into. With devoted intrigue, she watches him paint, builds up her own creative confidence and hooks tightly on to his world of drinking and smoking artists with naïve loyalty.

While Cristina makes love to Barcelona’s art scene, Vicky contemplates the conservative life that awaits her back in New York City, penciled in tennis matches, dinner with drab business associates and the rigidity of marriage.

Up the ante drama arrives on time when fiery and suicidal ex-wife Maria Elena enters the picture. To find a beauty that trumps Johansson is a difficult task, but instant competition forms when teary eyed, tussled hair Penelope Cruz arrives with perfectly pouted lips, riveting cleavage. The dynamic between Juan Antonio’s exotic ex-wife and new muse is delicious to watch, especially when things heat up in the dark room as they tenderly touch each other under red light and pull in for tongue tied lip locking.

It would be hard to conceive casting such three extraordinarily unique powerhouse actors together; their body of work is so vastly different, and they have all proven to hold a film on their own, but when they come together in this lusty trio the drama and intensity pushes right up against the screen. Titillating friction, sparking energy comes across with authenticity.
Words to Describe: Intelligent yet unpretentious, sensual while remaining quirky, cleverly timed with brilliant dialogue

Indicative Quotes:
“I’m not going to Oviedo with this candidly charming wife beater”
“Chinese sounds strident; it’s like a drill to the head.”
“Now that the day is almost over, is it reasonable to ask you both back to my room.”

Reason I liked It: Woody Allen builds terrific characters and then twists them with clever dialogue that feels absolutely genuine while still upholding all the eccentric quirks. Set in the backdrop of beautifully lit Barcelona and with actors that are so captivating to look at, Vicky Cristina Barcelona feels more relaxed, although just as dramatic, than the typical NYC anxiety driven dialogue Allen is so much acclaimed for.

You’ll Like This Film if You Liked: Match Point, Annie Hall, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Stealing Beauty, Volver, C.R.A.Z.Y

The Verdict: Conversations amongst well developed characters; it’s what Woody Allen does best. Yes, the story line is provocative, but it is the quirky way in which the actors hold on to words, how they choose to yell and laugh that make this unquestionably Allen; one of the best people observers of our time.

As North Americans we often feel inadequate when it comes to being passion driven lifestyles, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, beyond being a fun narrative, forces us to examine our own comfort levels and touches on our insecurities of being labeled as boring. The film offers a strong comparison, although treated light heartedly, as to which side of the fence is truly greener?

Like all Allen films, you will exit the theatre and want to immediately sit and stew over the characters and narrative amongst close friends who absolutely enjoy wine mixed with challenging conversations.

Go see this film with: Someone who appreciates Woody Allen, a good conversationalist whether it’s your mom, your boyfriend or three closest friends.