"A wonderful summer postcard from Spain"

Rating: 9/10 (17 August 2008)

From the first frame of the film when Vicky and Cristina walk out of the airport in Barcelona, to the engaging scenes and film that follows, I am haunted by the memory of Henry James novel The American and this time the setting is in Barcelona, with the adventures of Vicky and Cristina amusingly set out by Woody Allen with a top notch cast and tremendous dialog. Oh, to be young and adventurous again in Spain as an American! BARCELONA has such interesting twists and turns in relationships and the actors play against the personal dramas with great flair and humor. Javier Bardem is marvelous as the "Spanish Painter/Stud" and he makes it so convincing when he romances the females who pander to his masculinity and attractiveness. Penelope Cruz, hot off of ELEGY, is really a spark plug here, and Scarlett Johansson performs a role which reminded me of her character in LOST IN TRANSLATION, a film I loved.
Patricia Clarkson, wonderful also in ELEGY, Kevin Dunn, Rebecca Hall and Chris Messina round out the cast with characters that all have their own issues to resolve. However, when the summer comes to an end, you wonder how the characters will start their lives again, and will they return to the magical times they all had in Barcelona? Bravo, Woody, for your "postcard from Spain".