He is the Juan

Rating: 5/10 (30 May 2014)

Woody Allen set off to Europe a decade ago to make his annual films. Maybe it was to do with lack of funding in the USA but a combination of various production companies in Europe were happy to stump cash for a Woody Allen film.
This is a story of two women. Vicky (Rebecca Hall)and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) and they are in the city of Barcelona on vacation from the USA.
At a restaurant the encounter passionate painter Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) whom they had seen earlier at a party and who invites them to a house for a weekend.
The impulsive Cristina goes for it but Vicky is engaged in the USA is reluctant but they both set off with him. The encounter with Juan has an effect on both of them. Penelope Cruz later turns up as his volatile and suicidal wife. However she inspires Cristina's own artistic ambitions as a photographer whereas Vicky later has to deal with whether she wants her safe fiancé or someone passionate like Juan.
The film is well photographed, well it has to be when you dealing with the subject of art and artists, you need to make good use of light and colours. The film also makes good use of Barcelona with Gaudi's architecture being featured as well as the medieval narrow streets of Barcelona. You also get a bit of the Ramblas as well just to make sure that the tourist trail is followed.
However the film is slight, a bit of fluff and the fireworks only start when Cruz turns up as Maria who adds bite to the film. From the early moments when you see Vicky being stand offish to Juan's invitation you know that both women are going to end up sleeping with him, well these artistic types always get the women in films and more freethinking they are then more the merrier.
Good performances from the four leads with Cruz being exceptional but Allen's script is so-so.