Ole, dear Woody! Not your funniest film but definitely a lightning bolt for the brain!

Rating: 8/10 (16 August 2008)

Vicki (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are heading to Barcelona for the summer. Friends since college, Vicki will be working on her master's degree in Spanish culture and Cristina is going along to get over a bad relationship. On one of their first nights in the city, a great-looking artist, Juan (Javier Bardem) suggests that the two ladies accompany him to a remote town in Spain where they can, uh, have a hot threesome and do some sightseeing, too. This suggestion disgusts Vicki as she is engaged to a businessman and has her life pretty well mapped out in her head. Cristina, however, is intrigued and convinces her friend to make the trip but to refrain from any bedroom activity, if she wishes. As luck would have it, Cristina gets ill on that first evening and, unbelievably, Vicki and Juan spend the night together instead. Yet, in the morning, things change. Vicki goes back to Barcelona while Cristina begins a relationship with Juan. Into this already complicated picture comes Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz). She is Juan's mentally unstable ex-wife and, after a suicide attempt, Juan brings her back to his house, where Cristina is also living. Aha! Meanwhile, Vicki's landlady, Judy (Patricia Clarkson) cautions the master's candidate that, sometimes, living for the moment is a good thing. This hits Vicki hard because, in truth, she can't stop thinking about Juan. How will this situation get resolved? Ole, Woody! Although this is not his funniest film (I adore Bullets over Broadway or Curse of the Jade Scorpion), it is definitely one of his most provocative. A menage a trois is a most difficult subject to tackle with sensitivity but, it is presented beautifully here. Also, the film asks some of those age old questions, such as what is more important, a safe, secure, and peaceful existence or a life filled with spur-of-the moment encounters that provide exciting memories? Should one make definite goals in life or give oneself an opportunity for a detour or two? As such, this is one of Allen's best movies. As for the cast, it is marvelous. Hall and Johansson, both lovely actresses, give intelligent, thought-provoking performances, although totally dissimilar. Barden is perfect for his role as the magnetic artist while Cruz, also, does a fine job as the fetching but enigmatic ex-wife. Clarkson, unfortunately, does not have enough screen time, nor does the other players, although they are certainly more than adequate. Naturally, the setting in Barcelona and other Spanish venues is most gorgeous while the costumes are also very well-selected. All of the embellishments that complete a successful film, that is, cinematography, writing and direction are nearly flawless. If you admire Allen's films, do make time to see this newest entry into his peerless catalogue of film-making. Although it is not a gut-buster like Take the Money and Run, its content is like a lightning bolt for the brain. Anyone who views it will have a mountain of matters to ponder for days and weeks after the showing.