movie - vicky cristina barcelona

watching woody allen's vicky cristina barcelona is like taking a pill that will make you smile for 96 minutes. it's a portal to an alternate universe wherein everyone is beautiful, dialogue is witty and interesting, every landscape and piece of art is stunning, the bohemians are portrayed as utterly sane and the money-oriented are seen as doltish buffoons. it's dizzying while it lasts.

maybe this is just woody allen's on-screen fantasy. it is obvious after all, that scarlett johansson has been his muse of late but getting her and penelope cruz involved in a three-way relationship with javier bardem and adding rebecca hall is like a big chocolate truffle for the eyes.

the plot and the dialogue are similarly amazing. the characters talk about big, important ideas as opposed to constantly discussing people and events. social commentary abounds as vicky, (hall,) and cristina, (johansson,) consider the various paths their lives might take and choose, (or do not choose.) juan antonio, (bardem,) lives by his own code, which he is also ready to verbally defend at a moment's notice.

it occurred to me after seeing this movie, the young, single, smart and artistic might live by a new mantra of wwjd, or what would javier do? in the scene wherein bardem woos both vicky and cristina upon meeting them, he counters vicky's conventional, american opposition to his proposition for the three of them to go by small aircraft to a nearby town to see some art, have some drinks and possibly make love, by explaining he has not proposed anything outrageous or in any way rude. juan antonio sees the three of them as adults, (if not consenting as of yet,) naturally of the beautiful people, concerned with higher things and able to choose to engage in the pleasures of their senses by choice with only good consequences. cristina accepts juan antonio's invitation just as it is offered while vicky is somewhat aghast at his nerve. still, when vicky tries to point out how ostentatious juan antonio is, he answers openly and honestly explaining he has not offered war or anything violent. rather, he has suggested they fly to oviedo to take in some art, have some drinks to lubricate the conversation which will surely be on art and other ideas of the day, then possibly engage in a consenting affair of a physical nature only if the parties are willing.

at every turn vicky is unable to find flaws in juan antonio's personal philosophy because of course, it is flawless. while vicky's personal philosophy, actions and social mores do not fit together, juan antonio's are ordered and in sync.

vicky and cristina have found themselves in barcelona for different reasons but both are intent on resolving some of their own unanswered questions as they embark upon the course of their lives. vicky is engaged to be married to a man who will provide for her in the way she has become accustomed but he will never satisfy the things of this world a juan antonio might offer, the things she has only recently glimpsed possibly to her detriment. cristina is open to experience and content to see which way the winds may move her. she considers all that she takes in as valuable for helping to her to discover who she will become and while she anxious to live and experience, she is in no rush to reach any sort of end game wherein she marries and has children and moves to the suburbs or whatever convention may come to mind.

in this way, allen has brilliantly juxtaposed these two characters in such a way as to shed light on their values. in the end vicky seems to resign herself to an uninspired life of comfort. cristina by contrast seems upon first glance to be exactly where she was when she began this journey but on closer inspection one can see that she has added so much to her person. she has become something of an artist and can be seen satisfying her highest of maslow's needs. she has scratched several itches of natural curiosity in such a way as to demystify them so she can take away value while remaining open to change and the world around her.

juan antonio, (bardem,) and maria elena, (cruz,) are in a way devices to bring out certain truths about vicky and cristina. that said, they are as interesting and colorful supporting roles as can be found anywhere. (indeed cruz just won the bafta for best supporting axctress.) chris messina, as vicky's fiance, gives a similarly stupendous performance.

it is a quick, intoxicating 96 minutes but if you want to escape into a movie with eye candy galore, if you want to listen to intelligent characters contemplating big ideas, if you want to be challenged and entertained simultaneously, vicky cristina barcelona is for you.