FILM REVIEW
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
"Vicky Krisitina Barcelona is a most recent film directed by Woody Allen. Two young American tourists, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson' ), come to spend summer in Barcelona. There they meet an poetic artist Antonio (Javier Bardem), who brings love affairs into their lives.
In relation to Antonio two absolutely different love characters are discovered: free-spirit passionate perceptive blond Christina and complex intellectual sophisticated brunette Vicky. However, don't expect any competition in love philosophy. Just a few questions from humorous sensitive male-female dialogues master.
Cristina is able to experience passion, to flirt vividly, to perceive things as they are. Her main problem is that she doesn't know what she wants. She knows only what she doesn't want. Several weeks after the sense of romance fades she is willing for a new experience. Not to mention, that Scarlett Johansson as always is extremely sexy.For me, her character seems a little bit fluffy and hard to satisfy in the long-term, but she is a kind of woman you want to meet during your summer in Barcelona.
On the other end, Vicky knows (and is getting) what she wants in life until she meets and sleeps with Antonio. That poses a unresolved question "is what she always wanted equals to what she really needs ?". She is a strong character, who, besides guitar music, loves intellectual discussion, smart complements and certainty in the relation. The last, of course, is impossible to achieve with fancy Catalonian artist Antonio during the summer in Barcelona.
There is a third strong character in the movie, insane Antonio's wife played by Penelope Cruz. She was highly appreciated for this role and even nominated for best supporting actress. However, in my view, she is just a little spice and charm to the movie, nothing more than that.
A strong second background is a gorgeous city, filled by spectacular scenery, Gaudi architecture and good wine. The song "Barelona" by Guilia los Tellarini constantly reminds us where the action takes place. Summer and Barcelona are two ingredients to make an love fluids visible.
Another thing which impressed me is quite typical for my experience with Woodie Allen's fims. Quotations. "I'll go to your room but you have to seduce me" (Christina to Antonio). We are meant for each other and not meant for each other. It's a contradiction (Antonio about the relation to ex-wife) And my favorite one "Only unfulfilled love can be romantic". (Antonio)
The best explanation by the internet users is "Once you experience love, it may not live up to expectations and it is real. Unfulfilled love was never had. It is always better in your mind as it never really happened". Unfortunately, it is true that in our head love could be much more romantic than in the reality. Bitter taste and sweetness in the one cocktail called unfulfilled love.
After all, I do not make recommendations about the movie. At least its main sense felt like enjoying life through love – either it's an hour in a cinema or summer in Barcelona. Therefore, wait till summer and visit Barcelona. In my life I am sure not to postpone that anymore.
Indeed, it was curious to read the man point of view about these 2 women characters :) Despite men often say they want to meet sophisticated intellectual woman, it is Cristina whom they "want to meet during a summer in Barcelona". The point that the woman often knows what she does NOT want made me smile - honestly, remembered myself in some situations :)
Antonio seems also an interesting character - a typical man who doesn't want to think much and just gets things as they are, and of course, enjoys them :)
Quotations, an unusual and a bit amateur style of the movie makes it definitely worth watching!
Posted by: Iolana | April 15, 2009 at 05:49 PM