Vicky Cristina Barcelona (includes trailer)
May 26th 2010 13:03
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Woody Allen’s stunning exploration of seduction and polygamy proves to be his best film in decades. After a string of horribly disastrous films since 2000 (Curse Of The Jade Scorpion, Hollywood Ending), he pulled off the successful Match Point, but Vicky Cristina Barcelona exceeds even that and is up in Allen’s top echelon of films like Annie Hall, Sweet & Low Down, Play It Again Sam. This could be possibly one of the best films he’s ever done.
Starring Javier Bardem (Live Flesh, No Country For Old Men), Penelope Cruz (Broken Embraces, Blow), Scarlett Johansson (Ghost World, Match Point), Rebecca Hall (Frost/Nixon, The Prestige) and Patricia Clarkson (The Deadpool, Shutter Island) Vicky Cristina Barcelona tells the story of two beautiful young ladies exploring and soaking in the richness of Spain. Vicky and Cristina are best friends, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) is a slave to her ‘better judgement’, over analysing life’s mysteries, structuring her life rigidly and rationalising her every move, Vicky is set to be married to the very safe and successful Doug, played by Chris Messina (Towel Head, Rounders).
Too hot to handle: Penelope Cruz is filled with fire as Maria Elena
Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) is the complete opposite – surrendering to every flutter of emotional fancy, Cristina is a romantic basket case waiting to be swept off her feet as she searches to find her artistic ones. One evening at dinner, a handsome and charming Spanish stranger, painter Juan Antonio (Bardem), approaches the two of them, boldly and without hesitation, without presumption or arrogance, offering to show them around Spain, to dine with them afterwards under the Spanish sky and then make love to them both at once. Naturally Vicky takes the stand of initially being offended by this offer while Cristina is more open to the idea. What ensues is an exquisite tale of seduction, heated passions and self discovery. Spain sets the scene for the emotional flight that takes place between the three of them as Juan Antonio begins to have unforseen effects on the inner lives of these two women.
I won’t give away anymore story info, as it would be harmful to give away the succulent details of where the story heads toward. I can say that Penelope Cruz who plays Maria Elena, the fiery muse of Juan Antonio, is a handful in this, Cruz is the spark to the flames of this story. It’s a knock out performance and one of her best, the chemistry between her and the other actors is so perfect, Maria Elena is heat to this film’s glowing elegance. Javier Bardem is as charming as ever as he once again returns to the roles he initially cut his acting teeth to, playing a modern day Casanova who sees the world in a unique way that woman respond strongly to. Rebecca Hall as Vicky is the most interesting to watch out of all the actors, she plays a woman who leads a life of somnambulism, unaware of this until something begins to stir up in her as a result of her encounter with Juan Antonio.
A moment between Vicky and Juan Antonio
Scarlett Johansson has been in a number of Allen’s films now and based on the way he photographs her, he’s clearly enchanted by her, there is something magical about the way Johansson’s silky blond hair reflects the light as it hits, she is decent enough as an actress in this and does a fine enough job with her character but it’s really the cinematographer that elevates her in this film by how she radiates visually. Cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe (The Road, New Moon, The Others) really does a gorgeous job on Vicky Cristina Barcelona, it’s an exquisite film with so much richness and feels like Javier Aguirresarobe’s work is always at the heart of this whole love affair that Allen and his actors are having with this amazing film.
The film is narrated by a bookish sounding fellow, whose analytical, fast paced narration juxtaposes this story of romance and fantasy into an objective viewpoint, this sometimes works against the film to make the whole affair seem a bit too safe at times as the narration overly guides you through the story. This highlights a consistent flaw through out Allen’s work, which has always been a tendency to remove the audience from his story’s experiences in a way that always tells us what is about to happen before we can organically experience the moment. However Allen’s tendency to avoid the unpredictable or adventurous doesn't hinder this film too much and is only a slight flaw here.
Scarlett Johansson as Cristina
The one thing that particularly impressed me about Vicky Cristina Barcelona is in the portrayal of the polygamous relationship that three of the characters have with each other. I’m not aware of any other films that explore this concept, especially one that handles the dynamic of this socially unconventional relationship in such a true to life yet poetic fashion. The female characters in particular I think were really treated in a revealing light, the fantasy and desires that they express, their moments of discontent and second guessing them selves is really what elevates the film to a masterpiece. Vicky Cristina Barcelona is simply superb. I can’t think of any other words to describe it than that. When I see the film or even think about it, it stirs up my emotions. It’s fabulous and it’s my favourite Woody Allen film. Magnifique.
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Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I don't really care for Allen's earlier films but his latest, with the exception of "Scoop" have been really good.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I still haven't checked this one out, but it has been in my Netflix queue for sometime. I'm not much of a Penelope Cruz fan beyond the visual attraction, which this appears to exploit nicely
I truly adored Match Pointmyself, as much for how capable Woody is at handling a non-woody film. Also because he drew out Scarlet's best performance since Ghostworld.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
JD - loved ghost world and match point - make sure you see VCB ASAP
thanks for the comments guys
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald