“Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (2008) is a rare Woody Allen movie that I wouldn’t initially guess was a Woody Allen movie if not for the credits. There is no neurotic character, and with two major characters speaking Spanish about half the time, it has a true foreign feel in Barcelona and the surrounding countryside.
The neutral narrator (Christopher Evan Welch) has a standard American accent, as if Woody aims to not put too much of his stamp on “Vicky.”
Brilliant Bardem
Although moving as briskly as any Allen film (and it’s clearly an Allen film by the end), “Vicky” is sumptuous and sensual under the lens of Javier Aguirresarobe, shooting in real Spain locations.
“Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (2008)
Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen
Stars: Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem
Javier Bardem matches this vibe as Juan Antonio, a successful painter by vocation, lover by avocation. This is a particularly impressive performance considering that Bardem (“Skyfall”) has played nasty, unappealing people in other famous roles.
Speaking slow and deliberate (but seductive) English probably because it’s his second language, Juan Antonio intrigues Americans Cristina (blonde Scarlett Johansson) and Vicky (brunette Rebecca Hall) when he brazenly makes a play for them (as a package deal) in a bar.
Cristina loves his “live life to the fullest” attitude; Vicky believes he’s nuts, and debates with him from the start.
A third type of woman is represented by Maria Elena (Best Supporting Actress winner Penelope Cruz), the very picture of a hot-blooded Spaniard who is so fiery and alive that it’s hard to knock her for fitting a stereotype.
A fresh take on love
“Vicky” isn’t funny or an outright fantasy, even though it could effortlessly slide into those genres if it wanted to. I like the choice. It allows us to see Juan Antonio’s approach to love and life as totally legitimate.
Vicky is initially the one who provides the counter-argument, and later it’s her fiancé (and then husband) Doug (“The Mindy Project’s” Chris Messina). But we’re always on Juan Antonio’s side.
Of course, it goes unstated that he’s fortunate to be a rich artist and a natural at attracting women. Not every guy could fit this role, even if he wanted to. Even so, Juan Antonio is a strong argument for living more freely, more outside the culturally defined shackles.
Ultimately, of course, “Vicky” is very much an Allen film. It respects love (an illogical, and therefore dismissible feeling under other writers’ pens) and puts that feeling at the top of the list when making life decisions.
Vicky would have no buyer’s remorse about Doug (analytically, he’s perfect) except that Juan Antonio has introduced her to the idea of passionate, irrational love.
“Vicky” does stretch outside Allen’s typical structure with a three-way relationship and bisexuality. But since it’s always about love, those are easy stretches to make.
Although the internal dramas are high – especially for Vicky, as nicely portrayed by Hall – “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” is ultimately a gorgeous-looking, easy film to watch. It shows the highest respect for Spain’s beauty and the principles of love — if such things can be codified.