Review of Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) by Ethan H — 23 Oct 2013

Woody Allen's film has great drama and is a lot of fun to watch. Javier Bardem is the center of this film and the women in his life are also largely fantastic characters. It's essentially about the influence of bohemian artists on one's romantic life, but of course, you'll have to see it to understand.

Superb script by Woody, brilliant and entertaining, marred only by a needless, silly, absurd soap opera like ending. Easily the best character in the film is free-spirited , uninhibited Christina, brilliantly played by Scarlet Johansson, who is in an adventurous, experimental search for the meaning /purpose of her place in life.

Bardem the Bohemian painter , is also brilliant. Unfortunately, I found Maria Elena, played by Penelope Cruz, a silly, excessive character that mars the film. Wouldn't you know it, she was awarded with an Academy award .