Vicky Cristina Barcelona – dir. Woody Allen, running time: 96’, 2008.
This fairly recent film by Woody Allen serves as the culmination of this summer's Miasto Movie series. Renowned for his masterly on-screen renditions of cities, primarily of New York - his long-time object of affection, Allen has been recently - and perhaps unexpectedly - attracted to the portrayal of European municipalities. His filmic/civic catalogue includes among others Venice, Rome, and Paris. Apparently, there is talk of Stockholm. In the case of this movie, as suggested by its in-your-face title, we will go on a trip to Barcelona.
Apart from the elements of the cityscape, which have become Allen's signature building blocks, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" features a number of A-list stars: Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, and Rebecca Hall. What we focus on while watching the movie is the romantic entanglements and the ensuing capers experienced by two young American women (Johansson, Hall) holidaying in Spain who meet a local painter (Bardem) and his unpredictable ex-wife (Cruz). Their complicated - often funny, sometimes touching - relationships mark the third pillar, the first being the city and the second the cast, upon which "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is founded.
For the enthusiasts of Allen's output, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" no doubt constitutes mandatory viewing. For the unconverted, the film is a flamboyant, unusual story interfused with a healthy dose of intelligent comedy and stunningly beautiful Barcelona to boot.
Free admission