Friday, Sep. 05, 2008

The big screen: Vicky Cristina Barcelona

If anything when you are watching a Woody Allen film you are almost guaranteed fascinating characters. Sometimes we find them quite pretentious, like his last film "Match Point" about a man trying to win his way into the elite British society, and sometimes they are genuine, my favorite being the middle aged drama "Hannah and Her Sisters." "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," now playing in theaters, is right in the middle. Allen's characters are smart and witty, interested in art and poetry and discuss love and life over their meals. But they are rich with humor and their lives are relatable.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Vicky (Rebecca Hall) is a graduate student working on her master's paper on 'Catallan Identity.' Barcelona couldn't be a better place to study, although her Spanish needs some work. She's traveling with her best friend Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), a lost intellectual intent on finding romance and fresh air. They are staying with Vicky's relatives Judy and Mark (Patricia Clarkson and Kevin Dunn).

One night they go to visit an art museum. Cristina is curious who is the bored-looking man in the red shirt across the room. He is Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), an abstract painter who is velied in controversy after he tried to kill his wife, or maybe she tried to stab him, no one is really sure. While dining later on they spot Juan Antonio again. He approaches the two women and tells them that he is flying to his hometown to view a sculpture that always inspires him. He wants the two girls to come along, to share wine and make love. Vicky is disgusted by the offer, offended by his audacity. Cristina is overjoyed with the idea and accepts almost immediately.

One weekend trip changes the fate of the girls forever. Vicky doubts whether she really wants to marry her cookie cutter fiancee Doug (Chris Messina) and Cristina begins a lustful affair with Juan Antonio. Things are further complicated when Juan Antonio's ex-wife Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) returns. Cristina, Juan Antonio and Maria Elena begin a strange three-way romance. Maria Elena and Juan Antonio can't live together without becoming violent, Cristina becomes the piece that harmonizes the three together.

Now we are involved in the comedy. The characters are unbelievable, which adds to the charm. Juan Antonio is a bit too cool and suave to exist in really life. Maria Elena is loud and self-assured, only adding to the sex appeal. "I'm not talking about my talent, I'm talking about my genius!" she proclaims about her art in that beautiful Spanish accent. And we are swept away with Barcelona and the European spirit as Allen makes a point to highlight the beauty and lifestyle of the city. When some American comes to visit we are bored with their talk of HD TVs and cell phones, "You're always connected," proclaims a friend.

Allen sets out to create a light story and searches for the romance in finding oneself. He fills his tale with a beautiful city, attractive and interesting characters, and moments of humor and humanity.