As I See It

I had heard a lot of buzz about Woody Allen’s new comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona, namely a certain kissing scene that takes place in the film. This annoyed me somewhat. Why is it that the media can only focus on something if it’s salacious? I was hopeful, despite the focus that had been placed on the sex in the movie, that since I have generally enjoyed the Woody Allen comedies I have seen in the past this would be no different. And, for better or worse, it wasn’t. But before I begin I must say, I am not recommending this film to you. I couldn’t do that in good conscience. However, I will tell you why I enjoyed it and why it was an achievement for the director.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a romanticized, unrealistic, sexy romp about two best friends who are both trying to find themselves in Barcelona one summer. Vicky, is a conservative, grounded grad student (played vulnerably by Rebecca Hall) who seems an odd match to the wild and idealistic Cristina (typecast with Scarlett Johanssen). They meet a passionate artist, who is also an unabashed charmer, named Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem portrays him with a great deal of humor) and they set off into a whirlwind of new experiences. The film really just meanders through their lives, giving no more weight to the romance between Cristina and Juan Antonio, as it does for Vicky’s conflictions with her own situation and choices. The dynamic in the film takes off when Juan Antonio’s unstable ex-wife Maria Elena (played winningly by Penelope Cruz, who I have never liked before) comes on the scene and all-manner chaos is unleashed.

All of this is both fun and slightly ridiculous at the same time, but one thing is for sure, you find yourself being completely engrossed in this fantasy world of avant-garde intellectuals that Allen creates. The film is carried along with a loud, dry narration that reminds more of a documentary than a feature film. It was a bold move, and could have stuck out like a sore thumb, had Allen not completely committed to it. At one point, Cristina is very drunk and gets sick, the whole scene is shot with a slightly fuzzy resolution that makes you feel off-kilter with the drunken Cristina. That was one of the most enjoyable things about the movie, being captured by the technique of the filmmaker. Woody Allen, for all his neurosis and eccentricities, remains an innovator in this industry.

The performances of the actors are vibrant and full of life. As I said before, newcomer Rebecca Hall, is funny and vulnerable, portraying her sense of confusion with a refreshing candor. While I always think Scarlett Johanssen is appealing to watch, hers was the only performance that bored me. It felt very much like what I have seen from her before, even reminiscent of her performance in her first Woody Allen movie (and a fascinating movie it was) Match Point. I wondered why she had taken a role so like what she has already played and mastered previously. Truly, if she doesn’t take something different soon, she will run the risk of always being the bombshell.

The two characters with the greatest challenge were Juan Antonio and Maria Elena. Javier Bardem is hilarious with his cheesy orations on love and life, all the while really just trying to get someone (anyone) into bed. I have always found him a little terrifying, but in this movie he is non-threatening, even human. Pennelope Cruz, who I have always felt looked like a field-mouse, was captivating as the tortured artist-bohemian who was always trying to kill herself or someone else. She curses, she’s brilliant and disturbed, and throughout the film she teeters on the edge of insanity. Maybe it helped that I don’t like her, because I was surprised when her performance charmed me.

Which brings me to the one thing that everyone is talking about, which I think is the least interesting thing about the whole movie. There is a scene in which Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johnassen kiss. Yep. I closed my husband’s eyes, but really, only to annoy him. It was 10 seconds of screen time and would have been forgotten completely by me had it not been so well publicized. And, really, that’s all I have to say about it. Don’t go see this movie for this scene and don’t disregard it because of it. I only mention it because you should know it’s there so you can make an informed decision for yourself.

Ultimately, I would say yes to Vicky Cristina Barcelona. But I will not say you must see it or you will be sorry you didn’t. It’s classic Woody Allen in a beautiful setting. It really is an actors film and the cast sparkled. The movie just tells a story, there is no great message or incredible life lesson found in it. It’s romantic fluff with great dialog. The subject matter is wordly and mature-themed, but I am not someone who needs to agree with a perspective to enjoy the view. It is what it is. And it is enjoyable.