Johansson / Hall Barcelona

Rating: 8/10 (16 June 2015)

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008): Dir: Woody Allen / Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Chris Messina: Vicky and Cristina are best friends who holiday in Spain only to be romanced by a painter. It is about experience although the ending isn't very satisfying. Directed by Woody Allen with his usual flair for dialogue and relation. Javier Bardem plays the seductive painter with too many flings. Scarlett Johansson as Cristina accepts the seduction as exciting while Rebecca Hall as Vicky is engaged and reluctant. Johansson falls ill leaving Vivky to host the ominous stranger. When she regains her health she re-engages the relationship only to be met with new rules, which include the introductory of ex- wives. Hall as Vicky predictably gives in to the advances while her relationship with Cristina begins to fade. Her secrecy is her big fault when she fails to confess to the one who plans to marry her. Bardem is a player charming two woman while not entirely done with his ex. Penelope Cruz steals scenes as Bardem's ex-wife who re-emerges causing both tension and inspiration. She is bitter yet cannot seem to leave the relationship, and neither can he. Chris Messina plays Vicky's fiancé who is presented as a good guy despite the possibility of his future wife going astray. While the relationships are warped, it does examine the idea of multiple partners. Score: 8 / 10