VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA (2008)

Written & Directed By: Woody Allen Cinematography By: Javier Aguirresarobe Editor: Alisa Lepselter Cast: Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johnasen, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Dunn, Zak Orth, Chris Messina Sexually adventurous Cristina and her friend Vicky, who is bright but cautious, holiday in Barcelona where they meet the celebrated and wholly seductive painter, Juan Antonio. Vicky is not about to dive into a sexual adventure being committed to her forthcoming marriage. But Cristina is immediately captivated by Juan Antonio's free spirit and his romantic allure is enhanced when she hears the delicious details of his divorce from fellow artist, the tempestuous Maria Elena. This is a partially unusual film for Woody Allen maybe it’s because it is set in Spain and the country is both artistic and romantic and sensual. This film is one sexy movie now all the leads are of course good looking and have been in tons of other films where they have been sex symbols and objects and that is what most films are there to do to make the actors look the best they can but in this film they practically sizzle the film shows them at there best. Now in the Woody Allen canon of movies it’s not the best but it is better then some of his others but it still seems slight this one as usual revolves around artists and muses and the philosophy of relationships. As Rebecca hall’s character goes to Barcelona to finish her thesis and is engaged she brings her friend Scarlett Johansen who is a flight sexy beauty and they meet Javier Bardem and both end up falling for him though Rebecca Hall tries very much not to son Scarlett Johanssen ends up staying with him trying to find her own identity but problems soon arise as his ex played by Penelope Cruz comes back into his life. This is pretty much Penelope Cruz’s movie even though her character comes is not in the film until half way in. She is talked about so much that when she finally shows up she is everything you expect and worse. Javier Bardem is good as the lothario with sex appeal. Which he should be since Woody specifically wrote the role with him in mind and had no other choice lined up to play the role. Scarlett Johansen gives a good experience but she still suffers from the Rosario Dawson syndrome. Where a star actress is always stuck in the girlfriend role. Only here Scarlett is sexy given tons of screen time but not too much to actually do other then be almost a prop in the background always she isn’t given a realistic character to play. On the other hand Rebecca hall makes a deep impression maybe it’s because she is in a way playing the Woody Allenish character the nebbish only this time female. The film is the best looking cast woody has ever worked with. This is a film that shows the bohemian ideals that seems to be at war with the nouveau riche the establishment represented by Patricia Clarkson and Kevin Dunn. Clarkson’s character is a romantic dreamer who always wonders what if she would have run off with a poor lover years ago she imagines her life could have been more exciting and fulfilled where as now she has money but is bored she loves her husband but he doesn’t seem to return the favor he cares more about business then objects and views her as just another possession I don’t know if that was intended but that is how I felt watching the film. In essence this is a film about the What If. The ideals and problems you could have by running off with that smooth talker. It is also the nightmare story of the ex-girlfriend who never leaves and haunts and stalks you who takes things to extreme to try and get you back and intimidate your new girlfriend. Though the film doesn’t go the thriller way it chooses to be a little more realistic in a dramedy romantic comedy way The film is a good movie to watch it is a good time waster. I’d say it is worth buying if it was 14.95 and would be a lot more interesting if Woody Allen gave a commentary just to see what his thought process was since this is such a big departure from his other films which at this point is a improvement. Definitely a step up from his recent films. GRADE: B