Vicky Christina Barcelona Review- By Michael Carlisle

Title: Vicky Christina Barcelona
Year: 2008
Director: Woody Allen
Country: US
Language: English

At this point I have seen over twenty Woody Allen films, and have to confess that I feel he is the greatest living Director. His pictures are profound, they are full of intellectual conversation regarding love, life and death. I feel creatively inspired by the end of an Allen picture, eager to write my own screenplay. I was hesitant to watch Vicky Christina Barcelona because I had heard it was mediocre, but I'm happy to report that it was not. Infact Barcelona kept me on the edge of my seat until the credits rolled.

Sexually adventurous Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) and her friend Vicky (Rebecca Hall), who is bright but cautious, holiday in Barcelona where they meet the celebrated and wholly seductive painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Barden). Both women become infatuated with him, unaware that his crazy ex-wife (Penelope Cruz) is about to re-enter the picture.

On the surface Vicky Christina Barcelona has the usual Woody Allen motifs; affluent sophisticated characters, involved in the arts and have very different ideals about love. They appear to be middle class, unsure of what is "right" and what is "wrong", and seem like beautiful people that we might envy. At first Juan Antonio seems like a mysterious overwhelming figure of lust and carnal desire, the audience falls in love with his seemingly bohemian lifestyle as much as the characters do. Vicky's fiance Doug pales in comparison, looking like a shrewd ultra-conservative mouse.

Of course the curtain eventually falls, and what used to be "good" is now "too good to be true". The fantasy is just that, fantasy. Luckily Vicky and Christina return to reality before their lives become a nightmare. I was impressed with the smart ending, as I was somewhat worried Allen would give us the phony Hollywood treatment. The actors do a magnificent job in their roles, Penelope Cruz definitely deserved her "best supporting actress" Oscar. The character's personalities contrast wonderfully against the beautiful city.

In conclusion, Vicky Christina Barcelona was impressive and incredibly thought provoking. This is Allen at his most logical, showing that he doesn't always get completely lost in art. I enjoyed that it didn't devolve into the cliche romantic comedy, rather it was very unique. Praise it! 4/5