My knowledge of Woody Allen is sufficiently weak that, I confess, it means nothing more than overtly sexual movies to me (and I have no idea whether I'm right there). Allen was more my parent's generation, but this movie had a great write up in the Telegraph last week, and so I dove right in.
The movie tells 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 its core. It's enjoyable, but not mind-blowing. Its core strength 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 him in, and twice I've been fully convinced of his role.
Penelope Cruz gives a wonderful over the top, emotional performance as Juan Antonio's ex-wife, and the role is just made for her. She is perhaps the most believable of all in this believable little film.
At just 96 minutes, I could have sworn it was longer; the pace drops and stalls at points, and a couple of bits lost my attention completely.
The setting of Barcelona is stunning, giving the eye a lot to enjoy without even taking into account the cast.
Finally, there's no nudity in the film, despite some very tasteful and muted sex scenes, which is surprising for a film all about sex and lots of it.
All in all, an enjoyable, if not quirky little film that occasionally drops the pace.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
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 Pe...
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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 Pe...
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 Pe...
Jun 21st, 2009
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