Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Woody Allen, 2008): US

Reviewed by Nicole Bacher. Viewed at the 2009 Santa Barbara Film Festival

Vicky Cristina Barcelona is the story of two American, young women from New York who visit Barcelona, Spain, for the summer. Directed by the talented Woody Allen (Match Point, Scoop) this comedy drama taps into the many diverse challenges of love and relationships. The pair savor many of the delicacies that travelers often take part in, such as art, music, and the overall all culture. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) who is engaged to be married, wants to do research for a thesis paper on Catalan culture and her best friend Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) is recovering from a romantic break-up and is looking for new experiences. In Barcelona, the daring duo meets Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), a pleasure-seeking painter, who gives the girls a real run for their money.

The films narration, spoken by the actor Christopher Evan Welch moves the story along as it weaves in and out like a thread. Since the film was filmed in Spain we are blessed with beautiful scenes of Barcelona and Oviedo. Cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe portrays the city wonderfully. Along with the sensual playing of the Spanish guitar by Giulia y Los Tellarini. Juan Antonio invites the Americans to fly away for the weekend. With a jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and a proposition that inspires mockery from Vicky and girlish excitement in Cristina. Juan Antonio is the true Latin lover, with humor and feeling that he quickly vanquishes the stereotype.

Director Woody Allen is also blessed with such a wonderful cast. Johansson fulfills a difficult yet challenging role as Cristina, who sometimes is naïve but independent. Hall’s performance is as well memorable as her character experiences challenges with her relationship. Bardem is calm, cool and collected, as he portrays the man who affects the natures of the three very different women. He’s a pleasure seeker, and wants everyone to get along. Patricia Clarkson makes an appearance and shines as Vicky’s distant relative in Barcelona, who tries to live vicariously through Vicky. All of the roles are multi-dimensional. One of the most powerful characters is Barcelona itself. Gaudi’s architectural designs, the Miro Museum, the provincial town of Oviedo, and the charming countryside all make for an evocative natural tapestry. Bardem slithers his way into each Vicky and Cristina, wrapping himself around the two women with blissful, and sensuous ease. He’s plays the artist Juan Antonio, who attack both women and canvases with bold strokes. The same goes for his fiery ex-wife Maria Elena played by Penelope Cruz. Maria Elena is an unstable artist who comes into the girl’s lives negatively. Cruz sizzles with her artfully tousled hair and watchful eyes. Both Maria Elena and Juan Antonio give the film a jolt of energy. This is as much a tragedy as a comedy. Love and relationships are never simple and although this movie isn’t one of Allen’s finest films, it’s a movie that’s passionate, charming and optimistic about relationships. This film will awaken your senses and leave you wanting more.