Scarlett Hot and a Hell of a Plot

Rating: 10/10 (11 November 2008)

Woody is witty and Woody can write. Woody Allen is a legend in his own right. Yet for a writer/director to re-invent himself and become even better after forty plus years of film-making is astonishing. Indeed, we all can appreciate the quintessential Annie Hall (1977) and Manhattan (1979) Woody Allen, yet I must say that with a directorial achievement like Match Point (2005) and this written and directing magnum opus that is Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Allen is reaching his prime at the one-can-only-imagine-but-still-wouldn't-put-it-past-him end of his career! From the premise of two American girls spending a few months in beautiful Barcelona, Spain, to the moment where a Spaniard sweeps them away with one of the best pickup line in film history, this film captures the audience and does not let go. The picture feels like an incredible fantastic voyage with all the nuances and subtleties of a decidedly credible characters, context, complications and conclusion. Allen is able to contrast, appeal, intrigue, attract, convey, question and move. The only way you may want to snooze is if you're a dreamer like some of the characters.
Effortlessly, art, language and many iterations of love are explored in an enchanting, engaging and almost transporting way. If the movie had to have one fault it is but an irritating detail I've notice: Vicky is studying Catalan culture and we do not get to hear any Catalan language which is near impossible, the action taking place mostly in Catalan Barcelona. After the New Yorker spent years and films describing, delighting and even naming a movie after his city*, and giving justice to London in his last two Johansson features, Woody will unfortunately get this wrong about the eclectic Barcelona.
Scarlett Johansson stole the show in Woody's Match Point (2005) and Scoop (2006), but here she is equally polarized by the challenging and crafty performances of Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz & newcomer Rebecca Hall. Scarlett is her nonchalant gorgeous self, but what creates the sensuous, easy yet forbidden, high sexuality is a sumptuous synergy of the writing, acting and directing. A mental, affecting, visual and visceral arousal is cultivated throughout the movie and takes so many forms that you feel you've been privy to an emotionally charged sexual extravaganza.
Beyond the sexual tension, the plot makes for a very interesting, innovative and captivating human relationship roller-coaster as we can expect from an Allen screenplay. We are left with a sort of romantic comedy for grownups. There are no overly graphic sex scenes, yet the movie smells sex and feels sexy from title to credit. Much credit is due to Allen for his vision and his ability to harness acting and technical talent to bring to life this evocative, down-to-earth, film epiphany.
"Life is the ultimate work of art." And how about this for a tagline!?! Simply brilliant, simple but brilliant.. Besides interesting conversational dialog and narrating monologue, Allen's text include such originality as Juan's father not wanting to publish his beautiful poetry in attempts to get back at the world. When Vicky finally asks why, Juan becomes philosophical. Lots to think about, to feel and to digest This motion picture is a daring and savory meal. A poetic paella perhaps
* Spike Lee may be the only real contender for hardcore pro-NYC film-making.