Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

just watch it!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

I hated it almost for the first hour for its blatant disregard about how life progress from the privileged view. But the film embraces that view by portraying the madness of these relationships of these people in chaotic layers. As much the film doesn't know about reality the earnest portrayal of this certain class of people is something that usually ends up as caricatures. Here Allen uses the same characters that are used mostly as caricatures and gave them real life and emotions that is not at all justifiable characters but still humane that it creates a certain amount of empathy for them.

I finally found a Woody Allen film that didn't take place in New York that I enjoy. Vicky Cristina Barcelona isn't the first non-New York set Woody Allen film that I've liked, but it's one of only two. I've discussed this at length elsewhere so all I'll say here is Woody Allen just doesn't seem as comfortable behind the camera if he's working out of the country. Match Point is an obvious exception, as there is little to complain about regarding that outing. Anyway, the 2008 film written and directed by Woody Allen followed two best friends spending the summer in Barcelona. Starring Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall as the pair of best friends, Vicky Cristina Barcelona explores unconventional relationships and the extent one can be fulfilled by sharing love.Two best friends that seem to be polar opposites plan a summer in Spain together before one of them is to wed. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) has always searched for a grounded love and a partner she can depend on as she is conventional in all aspects of life. Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) has searched for a love that will set her soul on fire, one that is exciting and unpredictable. Their expectations have led them down different paths, Vicky will soon marry when she returns home, Cristina, who is single again after being hurt in her previous relationship. After a chance meeting with a Spanish painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) he invites the girls to travel with him on his private plane to a remote island. Ever the risk-taker, Cristina jumps at the chance for unprecedented excitement and intrigue. Vicky is much more hesitant, even attempting to talk Cristina out of going. They both eventually board the plane with Juan and make it to the island. Cristina becomes ill and it is Vicky that has a romantic evening with Juan. Feeling guilty and conflicted, Vicky leaves the island leaving Cristina and Juan to fall in love. Cristina believes she may have found the excitement in love she's been looking for, that is until Juan's ex- wife re-enters their lives.Social constructs and conventional love are explored in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Woody explores what it means to love someone that also loves someone else. Living together in an open relationship and the dynamic of three people that love each other so much that they can't survive without each other but struggle to survive the terms of their relationship provides an interesting character and another fine example of the exploration of the psyche that Woody Allen is so proficient at. The score and cinematography are gorgeous and I'm so happy that the excellent Woody Allen script made a triumphant return. I recently read an interview with Woody Allen in which he lists guilt as a motivating factor to accomplish the things he doesn't want to do, which I found interesting considering the guilt Vicky felt after cheating on her husband filled such a huge part of her character arc. It's always interesting to learn more about a filmmaker and then be able to see more of them in their work than before. Vicky Cristina Barcelona is certainly not the first film of Woody's where guilt has played a large part but it's interesting noticing it after learning that guilt plays a huge factor in his own life."Life is short, dull, and full of pain."--Maybe Woody is right, but his films certainly help me cope with that.

...why Vicky and Cristina were friends in the first place. I simply could not figure it out; they did not act like best friends of long standing.I pretty much enjoyed the movie. The scenery was lovely. Scarlett Johansson is always a pleasure to look at, although this was not her strongest performance IMO. Javier Bardem was HOT! and the electricity between him and his real-life wife Penelope Cruz was palpable. Like many other reviewers, I found the voice-over narration intrusive and annoying. Unlike many other reviewers, I did not find Rebecca Hall at all beautiful and her performance did not move me, although I was impressed when I learned she had gotten the Ian Charleson Award for her stage work in 2003.But, as I said, I pretty much enjoyed the movie. Though I do have to say that in some respects it was like an adolescent male's prolonged wet dream (can I say that here?)-- not that there is anything inherently wrong with that, but the fact that this particular wet dream is written and directed by Woody Allen kind of creeps me out, for obvious reasons.

"Vicky Christina Barcelona" is a film by Woody Allen about Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), who spend a summer in Barcelona where they meet an artist, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), who is attracted to both of them while still in love with his unstable ex-wife María Elena (Penélope Cruz). Allen really convinced me with the main plot, bringing in plot twists, funny, quirky and realistic dialogue. While I loved the idea of the two main characters, there was just something missing. I have to pin that on Allen's character writing, which usually is the best of the best. But the two supporting characters Juan Antonio and María Elena both had beautiful, complex characteristics written on them.Johansson and Hall's chemistry was magnificent, evene when hey were not in scenes together. There was not a second where I didn't believe they were best Friends. But when Cruz entered the picture, I was overwhelmed. Her ability to portray a character so convincing and so real, even if you don't understand a single word she says, as she only speaks Spanish in the movie is scary. Bardem and Cruz's chemistry is extraordinary, thanks to both of their truly great acting skills. The Plot is very well thought out and Allen proves his ability to write Rom-Com's once again. Overall this movie is a well written and thought out film by Woody Allen with incomparable acting by Bardem and the great Penélope Cruz.