Vicky Cristina Barcelona: A Movie Mouthful
by Jaden
Photo date: 4 August 2008 Photo by Steve Granitz – © WireImage.com
Thank heavens for famous rich dirty old men like Woody Allen who have the power to make your wildest actress fantasies come true.
Sitting in the dark theater for Woody Allen’s latest film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a mouthful to say and a difficult title to remember, all I could picture was Woody sitting on the toilet taking a crap while looking at Vogue, asking himself, “Now how can I get Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson to make out for me? Oh, I know, I will write and direct a sexy film and put them in it.”
Scarlett and Penelope are the two hottest and talented actresses of today, and Woody Allen has got them making out with each other; yes, that is right, kissy kissy yum yum.
No other male writer catches the true spirits and voices of women like Woody Allen. For all his disturbing social foibles, like marrying his ex-wife’s adopted daughter, one positive thing I can say is that Woody Allen knows women. Perhaps a person must go to the brink of their desires to fully understand the opposite sex.
Watching Vicky Cristina Barcelona was a bit eerie for me; it felt like Woody Allen had dug around in my head, pilfered through my memories, and split me into three characters: the intellectual rational conservative conformist (Rebecca Hall as Vicky), the traveling soul-searching never-satisfied liberal (Scarlett Johansson as Cristina), and the jealous raging artist sexpot muse (Penelope Cruz as Maria Elena).
The execution of the Vicky Christina story reminded me of the book by J.D. Salinger, Franny and Zooey; the effect is the same as a narrator talks in a matter of fact way about the two women Vicky and Christina.
Surprisingly, the lovely ladies are not the ones who steal the show, it is Javier Bardem who goes from his creepy role in No Country For Old Men to a seductive Spaniard in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Unlike some actors who are the same male pin-up models in every role they play, Javier Bardem is a diverse actor who embodies his character completely and leaves his ego at Ago.
Since In Bruges, this is the second best new movie I have seen this year. The script is strong in dialog and has a coherent, believable, entertaining, and fulfilling story.
A sucker for Europe and the movies that take us there, Vicky Cristina Barcelona visits the enchanting sites of Barcelona, Spain.
For a movie full of captivating mouths that speak the unspeakable and do that which can’t be undone, let Vicky Cristina Barcelona take you on an unforgettable vacation.
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10 Responses to “Vicky Cristina Barcelona: A Movie Mouthful”
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I knew you would love it! I can totally see how you could have been morphed into all three of these characters. I was thinking when I was watching this that if we went on a trip to Barcelona this scenario could of easily happened to us. However, I see my personality being torn between Vicky and Christina. My old me would want to be like Christina and now that I am married, I am more like Vicky, however Jason is way better than Doug!! Christina is the little devil on one shoulder and Vicky is the angel on the other that can easily be influenced by the devil. Javier Bardem was super hot at his role!
We have set out to see VCB on several occasions and have gotten sidetracked each time (including last Saturday’s tropical storm that dumped five inches of rain here in NYC.) Will definitely get there, thanks for the review.
Interesting take on the split female mind…
Jaden,
I agree with your analysis of Javier Bardem. And I love that, “ego at ago.”
Men are always splitting women into manageable pieces.
I’ll check to see if it’s here yet. Probably not. But if so, I’ll forego the rentals and go watch it.
Yes, Pam has put it right, Vicky and Cristina are the little devil / angel characters sitting on your shoulder telling you what to do.
Ellen Wilson, this is interesting what you say: “Men are always splitting women into manageable pieces.” True.
Just to be clear, even though I relate to all of the female characters and feel they are a split of my many thoughts and actions, the characters are still complex individuals and believable as real people. The beauty of it is that many women will probably be able to relate to all three characters, having been them at some point in their lives, like Pam says.
Also, there is the fourth woman played by Patricia Clarkson, the older woman who lives in regret for her safe loveless marriage choice. I did not include her because I am not at that stage of my life yet.
These characters represent stages of a person’s life. First, the carefree spirit Cristina. Second, the jealous passionate artist. Third, the newly married and unsure. Fourth, the long time married and regretful for not having lived more. Put all the stages of yourself into one room and what do you get? A great script!
Holy crap, I love your reviews. You write well!
I’m all up for an excellent script. I find movies so disappointing if they don’t deliver in that sense, and I end up feeling so sorry for the actors who have to deliver the cheesy lines.
@Jaden – I do like Woody Allen, and find that he is usually quite fair with his treatment of women. And he cracks me up.
The fourth woman person, well, I hope you don’t think that’s a necessary stage you have to go through!
Looking forward to this movie.
@Steph – Maybe you should write a script. The more women that write, the better. And the more women directors. The better. Read that good post by Jaden – Sexist America, Racist Hollywood. Great post. A classic. Required reading.
Finally got to see VCB this weekend. It was a great vacation! Beyond the usual Woody Allen stuff (that I love, having been a fan for so so so long), it made sensuous Spain an even more coveted vacation destination…ah! maybe next year!
I found the characters to be more archtypes…though my partner (male) found them to be more stereotypes. Go figure.
Agree with you, Ellen — the more women that write the better. So many give up…for so many reasons!
I find Maria Elena’s character to be the strongly typed among the three. It’s as if her character is so real in real life. Honestly, I do see myself like Maria Elena.
:+) Uh oh Franz…. Stay away from the gun!
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