Review of Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) by Tibor B — 28 Jul 2010

I really enjoyed this Woody Allen film, with its simultaneously critical and regretful yet warm-hearted and playful look at the love lives of two American girls in Spain. Allen structures the film with a rather indifferent, even storybook styled narrator, which cleverly contrasts the simple matter-of-fact attitude that people never really change with the strong emotional influences that can sometimes overrule the heart from the head.

Acting wise Cruz is a delight, playing the hot-headed ex-wife of studly, yet sensitive painter, Bardem. Hall and Clarkson are also excellent, and even Johanssen has a good shot at her characters existential confusion.