VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

 

"I thought about killing you"

When Vicky (Hall) and Cristina (Johansson) decide to spend the summer in Barcelona, both of them are hoping to be engulfed by the culture, history and passion of the Catalan city. This all changes when artist Juan Antonio (Bardem) approaches them in a resturant and asks them to spend the weekend with him. Cristina is instantly taken by this bohemian outlook on life but soon to be married Vicky is not easily impressed by his charm but as the weekend unfolds, both women are drawn to the passionate artist.

There was a time that the annual Woody Allen movie would be something that a cinemagoer would look forward to and even be their highlight of the film year but since the turn of the millennium this hasn't been the case, until now.

Writer/director Woody Allen is a filmmaking machine. Almost every year since 1977, he has written and directed a movie, making him one of the most respected independent filmmakers working in the business. Amongst his yearly turn over have been some cinematic gems like 'Manhattan', 'Annie Hall', 'Hannah and Her Sisters', 'Crimes and Misdemeanours' and 'Mighty Aphrodite' but since 1999's collaboration with Sean Penn for 'Sweet and Lowdown', Woody Allen has struggled to produce a movie worth of note. 'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion' disappointed, 'Melinda and Melinda' wasn't up to much, 'Cassandra's Dream' was just plain awful and his love affair with Scarlett Johansson brought the flops 'Match Point' and 'Scoop' but losing streak is about to change with 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'.

Charting the summer of two, young American women, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' is a tale of passion, lust, adultery and obsession as we are exposed to the bohemian side of the Catalan City. The two American women, Vicky and Cristina are very different. Vicky, in Barcelona to research her masters degree, is weary of the world and engaged to be married but willing to be consumed by the Catalan culture and art and architecture of the city. Cristina is more of a free spirit, reeling from one disastrous relationship after another, she is ready to embrace the culture of the city and give her a chance to enhance her own artistic side by pursuing photography. All of their plans however are thrown upside down when they meet local artist Juan Antonio, a free spirit with a magnetic charm and a candour that neither of the women had ever experienced before. Both are drawn to him, Vicky a little more reluctantly but Juan Antonio also has his own demons and they revolve around a completely disastrous but passion filled marriage to Maria Elena. This is Woody Allen's best script in years, mixing comedy, drama and sexual tension with the gusto of a writer/director half of his seventy-eight years.

It doesn't matter what Woody Allen produces however as he can always attract some of the best actors working in the business at the moment and this time he really gets some excellent performances from them. After making two movies with Scarlett Johansson, his current muse finally has a character that she can really get to grips with. Her romance with Juan Antonio is passion filled and she certainly rises to the occasion, looking sexier than ever. British actress Rebecca Hall continues to make waves in Hollywood and as Vicky, Woody Allen has created a female version of himself again and Hall provides a performance that is reminisant of the director's collaborations with Mia Farrow and Diane Keaton. Javier Bardem leaves his awful, basin haircut behind from 'No Country for Old Men' to show why the Spanish actor is considered a sex symbol and one of the best actors currently working in film. As Juan Antonio, the Catalan artist who draws Vicky and Cristina into his bed, he reveals what romance and seduction is all about but is still consumed by his ex-wife Maria Elena. She is played by Penélope Cruz and it is her performance that almost steals the entire film. While she may be only on the screen for the final third of the movie, it is her pivotal role that exposes Juan Antonio real passion and takes the movie in a whole new direction.

'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' is Woody Allen's best film in years and one that makes you remember how good he used to and can be. With excellent performances from the leading ladies, his leading man and a scene stealing role for Penélope Cruz, this is a passion filled movie that is only hindered by an annoying narration. This aside, this is a must watch for Woody Allen fans and anyone who loves passionate, romantic drama.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is good.

BONUS FEATURES

Theatrical Trailer (2.23 mins)
Watch the promotional trailer that showcased the movie at the cinema and online

Previews
Watch the trailer for 'Che Part 1'

OVERALL

The DVD treatment for 'Vicky Christina Barcelona' is what you'd expect from Woody Allen, very lacklustre. The veteran director refuses to include any bonus material with his Blu-Ray and DVD releases but anyone with his body of work is entitled to release movies as he sees fit.

DVD

Annie Hall

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2009