Woody Allen continues to fascinate audiences despite widespread scepticism - completely valid given his mediocre recent fare. A switch from New York to Europe has revitalised his later career, helped also by the enduring loyalty of A-List stars who seem to relish his oddball comic creations.
Welcome to wherever you are, Woody - in this case, stunning Barcelona. Scarlett Johansson, a regular Allen muse these days, is joined by Penelope Cruz in a four-way love triangle (would that be a quadrangle?) with Javier Bardem and Rebecca Hall. A Spanish summer is spent searching for love, creative passion and meaning.
Artist Juan Antonio (Bardem) has invited tourists Cristina (Johansson) and Vicky (Hall) to his hometown to see a favourite sculpture. Full of Spanish charm, sparks begin to fly. When his crazy ex-wife Maria Elena (Cruz), who has just tried to kill him and herself, turns up, the dynamics become even more complicated.
Steady, without the often rapid-fire wisecracking style usually associated with Woody Allen films, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is an enjoyable summer holiday. It is a delight to see Cruz (who won the Oscar for this) and Bardem, in particular, as the quintessential passionate Spanish artists. Johansson delves back to her Lost in Translation turn as the Gen X woman constantly for what she wants, but with a sultry playfulness here.
While there's still more than a hint of Allen's famously patronising attitude to women for which many can't excuse, it's a strong return to form. The pace works, the ideas are solid and the casting is spot on.
"Occasionally endearingly audacious, Woody Allen's screenplay for Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a further riff on the unique, unpredictable nature of romantic relationships among the human race," wrote Andrew L Urban of Urban Cinefiles.
"By the time Cruz appears, Vicky Cristina Barcelona has delivered on those initial good omens: it's Allen's best film in at least a decade," said Nicholas Barber of the Independent.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona screens this Friday 17th April at 7.30pm at Port Fairy Cinema in Bank Street. Memberships available at the door with free tea and coffee provided.
Welcome to wherever you are, Woody - in this case, stunning Barcelona. Scarlett Johansson, a regular Allen muse these days, is joined by Penelope Cruz in a four-way love triangle (would that be a quadrangle?) with Javier Bardem and Rebecca Hall. A Spanish summer is spent searching for love, creative passion and meaning.
Artist Juan Antonio (Bardem) has invited tourists Cristina (Johansson) and Vicky (Hall) to his hometown to see a favourite sculpture. Full of Spanish charm, sparks begin to fly. When his crazy ex-wife Maria Elena (Cruz), who has just tried to kill him and herself, turns up, the dynamics become even more complicated.
Steady, without the often rapid-fire wisecracking style usually associated with Woody Allen films, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is an enjoyable summer holiday. It is a delight to see Cruz (who won the Oscar for this) and Bardem, in particular, as the quintessential passionate Spanish artists. Johansson delves back to her Lost in Translation turn as the Gen X woman constantly for what she wants, but with a sultry playfulness here.
While there's still more than a hint of Allen's famously patronising attitude to women for which many can't excuse, it's a strong return to form. The pace works, the ideas are solid and the casting is spot on.
"Occasionally endearingly audacious, Woody Allen's screenplay for Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a further riff on the unique, unpredictable nature of romantic relationships among the human race," wrote Andrew L Urban of Urban Cinefiles.
"By the time Cruz appears, Vicky Cristina Barcelona has delivered on those initial good omens: it's Allen's best film in at least a decade," said Nicholas Barber of the Independent.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona screens this Friday 17th April at 7.30pm at Port Fairy Cinema in Bank Street. Memberships available at the door with free tea and coffee provided.
Click below to watch trailer:
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