I don't know what I think about this film

Rating: 6/10 (10 July 2009)

Did I like "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," or not? One might think that it would make sense to hold off writing the review of the film until I make up my mind, but I'm not, since this conflicted feeling is at the heart of the film.
Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johannsen) are two best friends who are vacationing in Barcelona for the summer. While there, they are asked abruptly by an artist named Juan Antonio Gonzalo (Javier Bardem) to spend the weekend with him. They eventually go, and the weekend sets in motion a series of events that cause Vicky and Cristina to really examine what they want in a relationship (Vicky is engaged, and Cristina "only knows what she doesn't want." "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" starts out strong and ends even stronger, but it lags in the middle. I think it would have been a lot better if about 20 minutes had been cut during this period. The characters talk, but nothing really happens during this time.
The acting is strong. Rebecca Hall is very good as the practical Vicky. She knows what she wants and is satisfied with her future, at least until she meets Juan Antonio. Scarlett Johansson is slightly less impressive as Cristina, who is experimenting with the possibilities. Javier Bardem continues to impress as the artist/lover Juan Antonio. He's a seducer, and not ashamed of it. Yet he has a big heart. However, the best performance belongs to Penelope Cruz. She dominates the screen as Juan Antonio's volatile ex-wife, Maria Elena. She has some serious issues, and Cruz never lets us forget that Maria Elena can be set off by just about anything.
The best thing about "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is that it looks great. The cinematography is gorgeous, and very atmospheric. However, the film has some big flaws. First off, the narration is on going, and it gets old. It helps, but it gets in the way of the story. Second, of course, is the flat middle. Nothing much happens, and boredom sets in. Fortunately, when Cruz appears, the film gets back going again. Finally, the ending doesn't fit. An ending like the one Woody Allen gave this one seems to belong in a different film.
It's not "Match Point," but I guess it's recommendable.