If you remember in 2007 we saw Javier Bardam, a ferocious villain, wearing a bad haircut, roaming destructively around the county of Texas in the film 'No Country for Old Men.' He played the role of one of the most frightening men in the history of film.

In Woody Allen's new comedy, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Bardam has a new hairstyle and is wearing some trendy and very stylish shirts but I still find it difficult to blot out the vision of that indelible and formidable performance.

Even in Allen's new film, Javier is still playing a rogue. His good Latin looks are impressive but this time he is even more scary. He plays the role of Juan Antonio, a stylish dressed, Lothario, who has women falling at his feet. Whether they are women of a promiscuous nature or have high morals and are principled, they are seduced by him and he teaches these victims how to enjoy life, be passionate and at the same time self-destruct.

Even Woody Allen seems seduced by Bardam. He paints the destruction of these women in such rich, imaginative colours. You will spot the satisfaction that Allen seems to find in introducing us to these naive and self-destructive women. And as Allen takes advantage of the rich glow of Barcelona's art galleries and splendid visual elements of its streets, the natural beauty of the film's four actresses, and the seductive charm of Juan Antonio, he makes his new movie, very seductive indeed.

Vicky (Rebecca Hall), is a sensible young girl, engaged to Doug (Chris Messina), who has an air of practicality about him but at the same time is hazardous. Vicky is a student studying Catalan culture so when she gets an invite to visit Barcelona from her rich friend Judy (Patricia Clarkson) and her spouse, Mark (Kevin Dunn) she jumps at the opportunity as she thinks the visit will help with her M A thesis.

Vicky takes along her beautiful, headstrong and promiscuous friend, Cristina (Scarlett Johansson).

The two girls first meet Juan Antonio in an art gallery, and the reckless Cristina falls immediately in love. Later, the presumptuous Juan Antonio suggests that both ladies join him on his private plane for a weekend in Oviedo where they can take pleasure in art, gastronomy and sex. Prudent Vicky rebukes him but Cristina mocks her for her beliefs and accepts.

And so the main questions in the film are : Is it better to behave like Vicky, loving one man and believing in marriage or like Cristina who is lustful and just out for excitement and adventure?

In Woody Allen's film, both these female characters are doomed. Allen seems to portray women as easy targets, negative, fickle and capable of making mistakes and suffering extreme unhappiness. But it is apparent, from the way he slows the film down and appreciates the scenes of sexual abandon, which path he prefers to imagine. In this film the plot has more unconventional sexual preferences than usual.

As the two girls become more involved with Juan Antonio both are certain to confront his ex-wife Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz). She is known for stormy outbursts and has already stabbed her ex, once before. When she moves back to the house to convalesce after a suicide attempt there are many fireworks let loose and the fire soars even higher when Cristina and Maria are found in the darkroom, making love. It seems that Juan is delighted and believes that Cristina could be the missing piece in their traumatic relationship.

The handsome cast playfully act against a sensuous Barcelona canvas, providing us with glimpses of Gaudi's crazy, colourful buildings, couples kissing and drinking in romantic cafes as they listen to waves of exotic Spanish guitar. Even if you are not keen on Allen's work you can't help but admire the beauty of Barcelona as we see it through the lense of Javier Aguirresarobe's camera.

Take away the frames of dazzling art and beauty and we see mundaneness. Marriage is depicted as boring, lacking in vigour and downright bland. This is where Allen introduces a theme that he has employed over and over again. We are introduced to Doug, the boring fiancee, who chats away about investments and house prices. He has no passion, no charisma. How can we possibly compare him with Juan Antonio - the greatest lover in the world? I am sure there will be many women when watching this film who immediately dislike Doug and want Vicky to fall into Juan's arms thus saving herself from a bland marriage.

A lot of critics have said that this film is a delightful erotic movie and others have said that it is a witty testament on love. What do I think?

Having been a fan of Woody Allen on and off for most of his career, I can appreciate the wordplay and the wit in this film. It is quite bizarre but then most of his films are and now, in his 72 years, he seems to have got more lurid than ever. At the same time I feel that he is still asking the same old questions about true love and faith and still doesn't seem to have the insight or know the answers.

This film has recently been shown in Warsaw and I think I have mentioned before in other reviews that the people in this city are 'movie mad' and spend most of their earnings on going to the cinema. I have asked a few people about what they thought of the film and nearly all have praised the cinematography of Javier Aguirresarobe and I have to agree, it is amazing and a positive that Allen is broadening his sights further than Manhattan. However, I fear the film has gone down badly here and a lot of people think that this is not him at his best.

I think it relays that same old message of his which is that he doesn't really know what he wants from a relationship but at the same time I think he isn't too sure or he doesn't care what his audience wants or needs.

I would have thought at this stage in his career he would have a more complex view of life and a better insight into the affairs of the heart but to me it seems that he has gone more bizarre, vulgar and melodramatic.

It's also quite sad to see Scarlett Johansson who always stood out from other actresses for being intelligent and choosing good roles, is now happy to personify the fantasies of conceited, sex-obsessed men.

On the other hand, it's nice to see a newcomer to the screen, Rebecca Hall. She is very convincing as Vicky, has great presence and will go far.

So to sum up - an okay film but not a great film. Powerful performances from Bardam with his beautiful, deep voice and Cruz for her crazy temper, rapid fire Spanish delivery and Rebecca Hall, who expresses every emotion with her face rather than her body. I can't fault the cinematography but then I never can in Allen's films - it is usually excellent.

Great to see scenes of Barcelona and Gaudi's architecture. The evocative sounds of the Spanish guitar is a pleasure to listen to and creates a fantastic ambiance to the film. Seems strange to see so many people smoking all the time but in a way that creates a sexy and sultry atmosphere. Not sure if I agree with the rating of PG 13 as some of the scenes are a little lurid. It really depends on the maturity of the 13 year old.

And what can I say about Woody - sometimes too clever for his own good, sometimes too tedious for me to watch. The man has a great wit but I just wish sometimes there was a bit more depth to his personality.

I don't think this is one of his best films. I am only awarding the film two stars but I still think it's worth seeing if just for the actors performances and cinematography.

Summary: Not one of Woody's Best.

*Also published on Dooyoo and Helium*