VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA
Directed by: Woody Allen
A young woman named Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and her best friend Christina (Scarlet Johansen) stay with a relative in Barcelona together. One evening at dinner the women are approached by a Spanish artist named Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), who invites them to his home in the city of Oviedo. Vicky is highly skeptical of the man’s forwardness, but Christina is immediately taken by the man’s charm. Both the women eventually take up Antonio’s offer and stay with him. They are gradually won over by his and his knowledge of Spain as well as the culture that they have rarely experienced in their lives.
Amongst the recent surge of stoner comedies and grotesque toilet humour, director Woody Allen has made a light and old-fashioned romantic-comedy for adults. Given that given that many of Allen’s previous films have covered similar territory Vicky Christina Barcelona does not say anything new or deep. Yet it is still a light and fun film with a simple message. There is a definite notion of exploring the alternative and throughout the film culture is thoroughly amplified through the beautiful photography of the Spanish countryside and the discussion of both art and photography. Disappointingly, although many have labeled the film as a comedy, there are not as many consistently hilarious moments or funny lines of dialogue as some might expect. Rather, the engagement of the film is held by its cast, most of which is impressive.
The way both women are introduced in such a contrasting way is both funny and clever. Scarlett Johansson is radiant as Christina. Yet strangely the script doesn’t provide her with more scenes to allow her to consistently portray her character as impulsive and daring. It is a shame that Johansson wasn’t given a more interesting character. She needed more to do in the film. Rebecca Hall is a lot more consistent in her characterisation as the reluctant Vicky, and through her voice she acutely displays her reluctance and tentative nature. Vicky’s engagement to a dull American yuppie, who frequently calls her babe, also creates drama and dilemmas for her, and makes her scenes in the film more interesting and entertaining. Javier Bardem – who improvised numerous parts of his dialogue – has removed memories of his psychotic and wholly iconic character from No Country For Old Men. He is again convincing as the intelligent, kind and charming Antonio. While Penelope Cruz – who also improvised some of her Spanish lines with Bardem - has a lot of fun with her role as Antonio’s crazy and dangerous ex-wife, but she does not come into the film till later on and only has relatively a small role.
The film suffers from a very intrusive and overly used voice over, explaining scenes that are unfolding right before the audience. Sometimes it gives a small detail that we wouldn’t have known otherwise, but most of the time it’s just annoying and unnecessary. Why a writer and director with the experience of Allen would use this is a mystery. Also, towards the end of the film there are certain moments that just don’t ring true and seem too easy for the characters to accept and partake in. It as though the film wanted to reach for much darker territory. It is difficult to elaborate on without spoiling the plot of the film.
Vicky Christina Barcelona is a very light film. There is a great deal of fun to be had with some of the characters and the decisions and choices they are faced with. It’s just not as hilarious enough to be regarded as a comedy and probably too light and familiar in its examination of love and relationships to be anything entirely memorable. Fans of Woody Allen may have to wait a little longer for a complete return to form for the director, but this film could well be a step in the right direction.
3/5
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