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Features Acotrs: Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Chris Messina, Penolpe Cruz, Kevin Dunn, Javier Bardem & Patricia Clarkson. Running Time:97 Min. Rating:PG-13 Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are yuppie girlfriends taking a summer vacation together in Spain. Vicky, the more straitlaced and uptight of the pair, is engaged to a sensible if not sensuous businessman who will provide the security Vicky is primarily seeking in life. Cristina is the very opposite, a restless and impulsive young woman who has been involved in a series of disappointing romantic relationships, which makes this friendship seem a bit odd in the first place. One evening while hanging out at a Barcelona cafe, the two women are approached at their table by Jose (Javier Bardem), a painter and rumored wife beater who simply announces, life is short, dull and full of time. So let's leave in an hour for a village where we can eat, drink and make threesome love. Now, in any other setting a disgusted Vicky is portrayed as a prude party pooper, while Cristina is the unpossessive type , who doesn't mind a brief fling sharing a guy with her best friend. Or with his deranged wife Maria Elena for that matter, who later materializes in the promiscuous personage of Penelope Cruz. And we first hear about Maria Elena when Jose's dad confesses to him that he misses having her around - after she has apparently disappeared with another man - because Maria Elena's presence feeds his own obsessive fantasies about her. Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a tarted up travelogue giving new meaning to the notion of tourism.This movie has a provocative dramatic energy to it, but at times seems to get boring with the conflicts that linger on.Hope this helps you decide.Thanks for reading! :)Read full review
What is so great about this film? The cast- Scarlett Johansson (love her), JAvier Bardem (he's the man) and PEnelope Cruz (cant get better than that) To me, this movie is very philosophic it makes u over think your beliefs, makes you literally open your mind to more than just one truth haha... why not make love with a woman and a man and just live all together happily ever afteR? well, not forever... maybe just for a while :P It's all about living in the moment, not being judgmental, being open to new emotions and experiences and believe me that, if like me, you watch this movie while the story of your life somehow resembles the story of vicky (while wanting the passion that cristina sought) you are going to love it.
Yes, it's definitely better that the usual tired, self indulgence that Woody Allen has become nowadays. Although I wouldn't rate this film as anything better than average, this is certainly saying something when it come to Woody Allen. He showed a spark of something new with "Match Point," and has managed to keep standards up here as well. Although Scarlett Johansson turns in her standard vanilla flavoured fudge acting, Penelope Cruz adds a refreshing dash of spice to the pot. Javier Bardem is surprisingly good considering he is not speaking his native tongue, and Rebecca Hall is just about right. Barcelona is certainly given the star studded treatment, as befits its starring role, so that the sum total adds up to a very entertaining film.
I just had to see this movie because, as much as I can't stand Woody Allen, I love Javier Bardem. That man, wow! The decision to see it was easier than it should have been, let's just say that. This was really the first time I'd been able to see Bardem as a normal man, not made up to look older, or with a very heavy accent as he has in his foreign films. I liked his character alot, in fact. If I'm honest, I think I secretly hope this is how he is in real life. But I digress. Getting back to the movie, it was surprisingly good. Penélope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson were both good. I was surprised to see that Penélope was not one of the two main women, but the part she did play was more fitting for her. She actually played the crazy, passionate ex. She inserts herself between Bardem and Johansson (Cristina), while Vicky pines for her best friend's man. Three women all desiring Bardem's affection, not a stretch I'm sure. As always, with Allen's films, there's an examination of the dynamics of relationships between the characters. I don't know that there's ever conclusions made by him so much as he just allows us to make our own with what feels like open-ended, pointless story lines. I don't know maybe he's genius, but I just think he's lazy. I mean there should be a point to a story or why tell it? So, as far as the storyline goes, I wasn't overly impressed; but I did enjoy the cast and that was enough in this instance. Read full post >> http://rnrreviews.blogspot.comRead full review
Vicky Cristina Barcelona has quickly become one of my favorite movies. The cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, and Rebecca Hall just to name a few. The story is twisted, ironic, and full of passion. Several of the characters are forced to take a good look at their lives, beliefs and conscious. The movie is very romantic and at the same time in typical Woody Allen fashion...somewhat hedonistic and naughty. To top it all, the scenery is gorgeous and adds to the enchantment and ease of falling helplessly into a forbidden stranger's arm for a delicious chance sexual encounter. I would highly recommend this movie, especially if you are a fan of the mysterious, talented, gorgeous Javier Bardem.
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