Spring Break
Allen taps Spanish culture in latest film
Samantha Urban, Movie Critic, surban@smu.edu
Issue date: 8/19/08 Section: Entertainment
Writer and director Woody Allen's new project, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," is a sexy and funny film that explores lust and passion, while offering a savory taste of the romance and culture of Spain.
The film follows two very different women, Vicky (Rebecca Hall, "The Prestige") and her flighty best friend, Cristina (Scarlett Johansson, "Scoop," "The Other Boleyn Girl"), as they travel to Barcelona for a vacation before Vicky gets married. The two ladies quickly catch the eye of José Antonio (Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"), a painter who is still involved with his troubled ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penélope Cruz, "Volver").
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is essentially about living a life with love and passion. It's easy to assume that the nebbish Allen might have trouble depicting those themes, but the sex scenes in this film are as steamy as they are moving. Allen relies on the talent of his actors (instead of blatant nudity) to convey the lust and emotions involved in lovemaking, and the gamble pays off. He expertly builds the tension between his characters until it bursts onto the screen - and with "Hot List" stars like Bardem, Cruz and Johansson between the sheets, I can pretty much guarantee that the result doesn't disappoint.
Javier Bardem's portrayal of the confident and alluring José Antonio almost made me forget about his chilling (but Academy Award winning) turn in "No Country for Old Men" last year. I think women everywhere will prefer this sexy and smoldering side of Bardem to the oddly-coiffed killer of "No Country," Anton Chigurh. His sex appeal in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is palpable, particularly in his scenes with Penélope Cruz.
Cruz steals every scene she's in during the film. She dominates every minute of screen time she has as the talented and beautiful Maria Elena, whose artistic genius often comes with just a smidgen of jealous insanity. (For example, the film alludes to a past instance in which the "tempestuous" Maria Elena stabbed her former husband.) Cruz plays all sides of the role with a mystique that had me captivated by her character. Her chemistry with Bardem is undeniable, particularly when they're speaking Spanish to each other. The two create such a fiery on-screen presence, you might find yourself needing a fan in the theater.
The film follows two very different women, Vicky (Rebecca Hall, "The Prestige") and her flighty best friend, Cristina (Scarlett Johansson, "Scoop," "The Other Boleyn Girl"), as they travel to Barcelona for a vacation before Vicky gets married. The two ladies quickly catch the eye of José Antonio (Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"), a painter who is still involved with his troubled ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penélope Cruz, "Volver").
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is essentially about living a life with love and passion. It's easy to assume that the nebbish Allen might have trouble depicting those themes, but the sex scenes in this film are as steamy as they are moving. Allen relies on the talent of his actors (instead of blatant nudity) to convey the lust and emotions involved in lovemaking, and the gamble pays off. He expertly builds the tension between his characters until it bursts onto the screen - and with "Hot List" stars like Bardem, Cruz and Johansson between the sheets, I can pretty much guarantee that the result doesn't disappoint.
Javier Bardem's portrayal of the confident and alluring José Antonio almost made me forget about his chilling (but Academy Award winning) turn in "No Country for Old Men" last year. I think women everywhere will prefer this sexy and smoldering side of Bardem to the oddly-coiffed killer of "No Country," Anton Chigurh. His sex appeal in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is palpable, particularly in his scenes with Penélope Cruz.
Cruz steals every scene she's in during the film. She dominates every minute of screen time she has as the talented and beautiful Maria Elena, whose artistic genius often comes with just a smidgen of jealous insanity. (For example, the film alludes to a past instance in which the "tempestuous" Maria Elena stabbed her former husband.) Cruz plays all sides of the role with a mystique that had me captivated by her character. Her chemistry with Bardem is undeniable, particularly when they're speaking Spanish to each other. The two create such a fiery on-screen presence, you might find yourself needing a fan in the theater.
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