Written and directed by Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is witty, charming and sexy, but lacks that really deep, defining moment. This movie portrays two friends’ trip to Barcelona for the summer, and the tales of the love they encounter. Vicky and Christina (played by the beautiful Rebecca Hall and the voluptuous Scarlett Johansson) have two very different ideas about love. Vicky is engaged and ready to settle down with a man she knows is reliable and routine. Cristina on the other hand, is more adventurous and risky with her love, accepting heartbreak as part of the game.
While in Barcelona, Vicky and Cristina are approached by a handsome eccentric painter, named Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem; this part is a dramatic role change for him, who was last seen in the Oscar-winning No Country for Old Men as a psychotic serial killer), who asks them to join him in Oviedo for the weekend, where he wants to study a sculpture that inspires him, show the women the sites, and sleep with them. Although this type of rash activity is not Vicky’s idea of a good time, Cristina jumps at the opportunity. During their stay however, Cristina falls ill, and is required to rest. Meanwhile, Juan Antonio takes Vicky to a Latin guitarist, whose music greatly moves Vicky. What follows is a night of passion between the two, which greatly confuses Vicky for the remainder of the movie.
When the three return to Barcelona, Juan Antonio and Cristina begin dating and move in together. Vicky’s fiancé, who is portrayed as a businessman and an extreme tool, arrives shortly after and purposes they marry in Barcelona, as it would be a great story to tell their kids one day. He greatly differs from Juan Antonio’s character, which is spontaneous and unstructured. Vicky, whose whole world was turned around by the one night in Oviedo, reluctantly agrees.
Meanwhile, Christina is settling in with Juan Antonio, and thinking she has finally found the relationship she has been looking for. However, Juan Antonio’s ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) re-enters his life after a suicide attempt. Juan Antonio insists that she stay with them while she is recovering. Although Maria Elena is moody and a tad bit crazy, the three began a relationship, a ménage à trios of sorts. Although the movie lacks nudity, it makes up for it with a short scene where Cristina and Maria Elena proceed to make out.
Soon though, Cristina tires of her relationship and leaves Juan Antonio and Maria Elena, who, consequently break up shortly after. Vicky and Cristina return to America, seemingly in the same place they started: Vicky in a stable relationship and Cristina looking for love.
I felt this movie was for pure entertainment value only. Although the plot had some twists and turns, I really couldn’t find any meaning within the story. I feel this movie is meant to be watched once. Watching the movie for a second time (to refresh my memory to write this review), I found myself bored and impatient. I knew what was going to happen (obviously), but I knew none of it mattered because in the end, because everyone ends back in the same place. The subtle suspense that kept the movie exciting to watch the first time, was gone on the second viewing and although the actresses were beautiful and fun to watch, but I felt they didn’t add much substance to the movie. Overall, I think this movie was entertaining but lacked meaning.
Directions: Watch once. Take it for what it is. Do not repeat.
3 Stars out of 5
No comments:
Post a Comment