Allen celebrates life, love, and art in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’

The sun-drenched colors, expansively laid-back lifestyle, and fantastical Gaudi architecture of Barcelona seem like a far cry from the urban intensity of some of Allen’s New York films. But even in the heart of Old World culture, his characters bring their modern neuroses with them. And while the title may sound like the name of a lounge singer in a mambo band, it actually refers to two female characters—Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson)—a couple of young New Yorkers on a summer spree in the fabled, magical Catalan city.

The two best friends couldn’t be more different, romantically. Vicky, vaguely researching a graduate thesis in Catalan art, craves stability, as epitomized by safe, successful Doug (Chris Messina), the young businessman back home she’s about to marry. Cristina, groping toward artistic expression (she recently wrote, directed, and starred in a 12-minute movie she now hates) is restless and intuitive in romance, assuming that love must always lead to passion and pain.

Ensconced in the palatial hilltop home of an expat American couple (Patricia Clarkson and Kevin Dunn), the women are barely unpacked before they’re propositioned by sexy Bohemian artist Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) to spend a weekend of wine, food, and three-way amor with him in Oviedo. While Vicky blusters through all the usual Allen protestations of rational panic, the dazzled Cristina accepts, although the weekend doesn’t go quite the way any of them planned.

Surprised by stirred feelings outside of her game plan, Vicky is tentative, but resigned, when Doug decides to join her in Barcelona for an early wedding. Meanwhile, Cristina pairs off with Juan Antonio, begins to find her expressive voice in photography, and moves into his light-filled house in the city. And just when we think we know what kind of romantic complications will ensue, Allen throws in a zinger of a wild card: the sensational Penélope Cruz as Juan Antonio’s ex-wife, Maria Elena.

As Juan Antonio, the great Bardem is the opposite of machismo. He’s charming, considerate, honest in his sexual impulses (“I give you my best offer. Why are you offended?”), excellent company, and completely without any hidden agenda. Good luck finding anyone like him in real life, but as the embodiment of Old World culture, sensuality, and creative vitality, he’s terrific.

The lovely Hall (Starter For 10, The Prestige), is wistfully touching as a woman for whom common sense matters more than nebulous feelings. And while the sizzling Spaniards provide much of the film’s pizzazz, Allen also takes comic aim at complacent American insularity in the midst of European splendor: the expat businessman who spends his days in luscious Barcelona playing golf for instance.

As usual, Allen’s film is populated exclusively by the moneyed classes. But it’s less annoying than usual because the characters are engaging and thoughtfully written, and the actors so irresistible. Depending more on human comedy than wisecracks, the film is often as warm and vibrant a the city it celebrates.

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

***1/2 (out of four)

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This was a terrific film. Great dialogue, provocative characters, splendid settings,and the narrator added another nice dimension to the film. I'd see it again without hesitation.

Ron Slack , November 01, 2008

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