Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Life is the ultimate work of art.

Vicky and Christina (Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson), two friends with very different views on life and love, go to Barcelona for the summer; they meet a charismatic painter (Javier Bardem) who affects them both. It’s amazing to see the 72-year-old, versatile filmmaker deliver such a heartfelt, young, vibrant film; perhaps it was the sunny, Spanish environs that got to him. The script confronts its characters with choices between following one’s heart or mind and shows the limits of pure passion. The cast is first-rate. Johansson and Hall perfectly illustrate two quality of life philosophies; Bardem and Penélope Cruz are on fire as two larger-than life artists.

The YouTube clip shows the trailer.

2008-U.S. 95 min. Color. Produced by Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, Gareth Wiley. Written and directed by Woody Allen. Cast: Scarlett Johansson (Cristina), Javier Bardem (Juan Antonio), Penélope Cruz (Maria Elena), Rebecca Hall (Vicky), Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Dunn.

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Published 12 October 2008

Remember This?

“I look out there on all you wonderful guys and I say to myself: 'What I wouldn't give to be 20 years younger... and a woman'. You know, I've personally flown over 194 missions and I was shot down on every one. Come to think of it, I've never landed a plane in my life.”

Lloyd Bridges addressing his pilots (Hot Shots!, 1991)