Production Year: 2008 - Drama - Director: Woody Allen - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Chris Messina, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Dunn more
From watching the trailer for VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, one might never have guessed that it was actually an offering from prolific auteur Woody Allen. There's no New York, no... more
Barcelona has become one of the most talked about movies of the year. A sizzling erotically charged relentlessly hilarious and touching romantic comedy that won Pe...
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
It?s the film that critics are hailing as Woody Allan?s return to form. Vicky Cristina ... more
Barcelona has become one of the most talked about movies of the year. A sizzling, erotically charged, relentlessly hilarious and touching romantic comedy that won Penelope Cruz (Volver, Vanilla Sky) a Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role Oscar ? for her dazzling portrayal of the volatile Maria. Also starring Scarlett Johansen (Lost In Translation), Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men) and Rebecca Hall (Frost/Nixon). Our story begins in the picturesque surroundings of Barcelona where two American girls are about to find out that they have a lot more in common than they first anticipated. Vicky is a practical, studious and engaged. Cristina on the other hand is reckless, adventurous and recovering from a failed relationship. Both of them are about to have their worlds turned upside down by an infamous, bohemian artist called Juan and his psychotic ex-wife.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
It?s the film that critics are hailing as Woody Allan?s return to form. Vicky Cristina ... more
Barcelona has become one of the most talked about movies of the year. A sizzling, erotically charged, relentlessly hilarious and touching romantic comedy that won Penelope Cruz (Volver, Vanilla Sky) a Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role Oscar ? for her dazzling portrayal of the volatile Maria. Also starring Scarlett Johansen (Lost In Translation), Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men) and Rebecca Hall (Frost/Nixon). Our story begins in the picturesque surroundings of Barcelona where two American girls are about to find out that they have a lot more in common than they first anticipated. Vicky is a practical, studious and engaged. Cristina on the other hand is reckless, adventurous and recovering from a failed relationship. Both of them are about to have their worlds turned upside down by an infamous, bohemian artist called Juan and his psychotic ex-wife.
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A review by Pomcamgirl on Vicky Cristina Barcelona (DVD) March 8th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Standard
How does it compare to similar films?
Good
Advantages:
Great acting, good story, great atmosphere
Disadvantages:
Maybe the ending
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
This is a film-only review.
There are a lot of things that I have never done.
I have never seen any of the Indiana Jones films. I have never seen a James Bond film. And I had never seen a Woody Allen film. The main reason was –don’t ask me why- that I always assumed that his films were weird and that I would not understand them. So when my boyfriend told me he had got Vicky Cristina Barcelona for me to watch, I wasn’t too sure that I was going to give it a try. However, one very boring evening with nothing better to do, I thought I would start the film and see what it was like.
The film opens up as Vicky and Cristina, two best friends, arrive from America to spend the summer in Barcelona.
A narrator (Christopher Evan Welch) tells us how different the two young women are in their conception of love.
Vicky (Rebecca Hall) is more reserved, and down-to-earth. She values stability the most and has just got engaged to a very respectable and successful man.
Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) is the total opposite. She is looking for passionate irrational love, and has had many unsuccessful relationships. She is not sure what it is that she really expects from love but is determined to find out, therefore gives herself entirely and suffers the consequences.
One night, at an art exhibition, Cristina notices Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) and learns that he is a painter, recently divorced from a crazy wife who tried to kill him.
Later, at dinner, Juan Antonio approaches the two friends and offers them to come with him to Oviedo to spend the weekend sightseeing, eating well, drinking wine and making love! Vicky is profoundly offended and tells him where to go. However, Cristina seems flattered and spontaneously accepts the invitation. Vicky tries her best to dissuade her but with no success, so reluctantly follows her best friend to Oviedo.
The film will then evolve around both women’s relationship with Juan Antonio as well as his crazy ex-wife (Penelope Cruz) in a summer that could change their perception of love forever.
As soon as I started watching, I was gripped. I found the voice-over narration throughout the film quite pleasant and it kept me wanting to know more about what was going to happen.
The film is set around various sites of Barcelona, and gives a really great atmosphere of Spain. Watching it felt just like being there on a hot summer night with the sound of the guitars. I thought the film was really good at making you feel the ambience, and it definitely made me want to go to Barcelona again.
The acting in general was really good. Penelope Cruz in particular, is really perfect in the role of the psychotic passionate ex-wife. She is extremely convincing and made her character hilarious but credible. I am glad she won the Oscar for it, as, even though I hadn’t seen all the films that were nominated, I thought her performance was amazing.
My only disappointment I feel, was the ending. I do not want to ruin it for you so if you don’t want to know too much, I would advise that you stop reading.
It basically leaves things unresolved; Cristina and Vicky have learnt a lot about themselves, yet, remain unchanged. Vicky is now stuck in a relationship we’re not sure she will be happy in, and Cristina still doesn’t know what she is looking for. It made me a little hungry for more to be honest, even though I can see it is more realistic and believable than a Hollywood-style happy ending and suited the film more.
In brief, I really enjoyed the film. It has a good mix of humour and romance, great music, wonderful settings and atmosphere. It was, against my assumptions, perfectly easy for me to understand and only weird enough to be brilliant. My first Woody Allen, but not last!
More Reviews
Three's A Crowd? Review ofVicky Cristina Barcelona (DVD)by
GoFigure
...Although open-minded, Vicky is more of a traditionalist who long ago decided that she would forego on love and passion in order to acquire stability and security. Her idea of a good relationship is one that is based on respect and trust. Majoring in Catalan Living, she is in Barcelona in order to work on her thesis and to get up front and personal with Gaudi's work. Engaged to be married to a man she respects and loves on a somewhat platonic level, ... ...Vicky's best friend, is everything Vicky is not--she is spontaneous, passionate, willing to take risks in love and life, however, she has no idea what she wants from a relationship. The only thing she is certain about is that she doesn't want what Vicky wants... an empty marriage that has nothing going for it except mutual respect. The first few days in Barcelona are filled with the normal activities - sightseeing, getting acquainted with the local ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
very helpful
28.04.2009
All you need is lust Review ofVicky Cristina Barcelona (DVD)by
frankiefromings13
Advantages: A fairly good story line, Penelope Cruz Disadvantages: Very slow, dull, uneventuful, annoying narrator, more porno than romance
When two best friends, sensible Vicky and adventurous Cristina, decide to take a trip to Barcelona, they meet the dark mysterious Juan Antonio, a Spanish painter. Cristina immediately falls for his seductive charm and encourages the cautious Vicky to take a trip to his home town where he has offered them a room in his house. When the girls find out about Juan Antonio's previous violent relationship which ended with him nearly being killed, he becomes ... ...Juan Antonio, leaving the conventional Vicky to marry her fiancé and lead her 'normal' life. ~ Cast ~ Vicky - Rebecca Hall Cristina - Scarlett Johansson Juan Antonio Gonzalo - Javier Bardem Maria Elena - Penelope Cruz This was one of those films which I wasn't too bothered about seeing but as I have a Cineworld Unlimited card, so don't have to pay, I thought I might as well. However, it ended up finishing before I got the chance to see it so I ended ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...the story of two girls, Vicky and Cristina, on holiday in Barcelona. Vicky is straight-laced and polite, adhering to all of society's most dull rules and regulations. Cristina, a fiery blonde, is somewhat shallower, and simply aims to have a good time. When local artist (and hunk) Jaun Antonio offers them both a night in his bed, the story takes a turn for both girls that surprises them.
This is a quirky little romance, with unpredictability at ... ...is the authenticity of the setting and situation - the whole thing is highly believable. This is quite something for a film that constantly reminds you it's a film as the narrator tells the plot at intervals throughout (which will annoy the hell out of some).
Javier Bardam blew me away with his transformation from 'No Country for Old Men' psychopath to the chilled out sex machine latino lover that is Juan Antonio. That's two films I've seen with ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Consumer Advice: Contains moderate sex references and implied sex
Video Category: Feature Film
Country Of Origin: Spain
Plot: Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are American best friends who have the luck of spending several summer months in the Spanish city of the title. Though the pair is inseparable, they clash over love: Vicky is engaged to the trustworthy Doug (Chris Messina), while Cristina is forever in search of new experiences and passions. When a fiery Spanish painter named Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) proposes that the three fly off to Oviedo for the weekend with the goal of making love, the women are divided, but they both eventually agree to the trip. After unexpected events in Oviedo, they return to Barcelona where Juan Antonio's obsessive ex-wife (Penelope Cruz) enters the picture.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD, Blu-ray
Studio(s): OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT; ELEVATION SALES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, OPTIMUM RELEASING
Languages
Main Language: English
Technical information
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital
Award information
BAFTA: Best Supporting Actress 2009 (Penelope Cruz)
OSCAR: Best Actress In A Supporting Role 2009 (Penelope Cruz)
DVD Description
From watching the trailer for VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, one might never have guessed that it was actually an offering from prolific auteur Woody Allen. There's no New York, no sight of Allen, and his trademark wit was nowhere to be seen. But this film--with its talented cast, sharp dialogue, and excellent use of gorgeous locations--marks Allen's best comic work since 1994's BULLETS OVER BROADWAY. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are American best friends who have the luck of spending several summer months in the Spanish city of the title. Though the pair is inseparable, they clash over love: Vicky is engaged to the trustworthy Doug (Chris Messina), while Cristina is forever in search of new experiences and passions. When a fiery Spanish painter named Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) proposes that the three fly off to Oviedo for the weekend with the goal of making love, the women are divided, but they both eventually agree to the trip. After unexpected events in Oviedo, they return to Barcelona where Juan Antonio's obsessive ex-wife (Penelope Cruz) enters the picture.
As the rule-bound Vicky, Hall--who has been largely unknown to American audiences before this film--gives a wonderfully witty performance that keeps pace with her more famous co-stars. Those who have only seen Bardem in his Oscar-winning role as the cold killer in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN will be surprised by his sexy turn in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA. Though it's often women who steam up the screen, Bardem seduces Vicky, Cristina, and the audience with such abandon that it's tough for everyone involved not to emerge a little bit smitten. Johansson, Allen's new-millennium muse, is the director's mouthpiece--she's consistently funny and more than a little neurotic, and you can hear Allen's voice in her performance.
Professional reviews
Review: DP Javier Aguirresarobe makes locations and actors alike charming and delightful, bathing everything in a handsome, sun-glazed glow....[There are] glimmers of Allen's old confidence (Film Comment, 10/12/2008)
VICKY CRISTINA trips along winningly, carried by the beauty of its locations and stars -- and all the gauzy romanticism those enchanted places and people imply... (New York Times, 10/12/2008)
Woody Allen goes Latin, and the romantic, richly comic result -- powered by a dream cast -- is his sexiest movie ever....Cruz is a stunner in every sense of the word... (Rolling Stone, 10/12/2008)
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Listed on Ciao since : 19/12/2008
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