Review of Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) by Chris W — 26 Feb 2011

As far as later Woody Allen movies go, this is one of the better and stronger ones. It does come off as an unrealistic fantasy, but what Woody Allen film doesn't? I mean, really. This wasn't the first Allen film that showed the world he was really behind the times and out of touch with the world, but I found it far more easier to stomach than Wahtever Works.

There's not much of a really stringent plot, but there doesn't really need to be. Two American feiends spend a summer in Barceolna and each one has their own ideas of love and intimacy, and what that want out of life put to the test. I liked the cast and they give good performances. The idea of American women swooning over a European Casanova is on the nose, but it's well played nonetheless. Besides giving good performances, everyone also seems to have really good chemistry with one another, making the experience of seeing them interact enjoyable.

I liked the music, I liked the locations, the camera wortk is wonderful, and the pacing is just right. The only real thing that stuck out for me was the narration. Is it necessary? Not completely, but the probelm is that it tells more than it shows, and the way it is used is redundant. It comes off as forced and it would have been better had it been used at different times and reworded.

This film does come across as a fossil from times long gone, but it's also really charming. There are some funny moments, but this is mostly a serious drama that just happens to have some humorous moments throughout. It's also really accessible in that one not need to be Jewish or extremely well versed in high culture to "get" it or get something out of it. It's light and breezy, but in a good way.