Vicky Cristina Barcelona (8/10)

Most say that this was the best movie Woody Allen has done since "Hannah And Her Sisters", I disagree. "Match Point" takes that prize, it's one of Allen's best and one of the best films of 2006. "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is still a very nice film. It has intelligence, interesting characters, great scenery and gives you something to think about.

So Vicky (Scarlet Johansson) and Cristina (Rebecca Hall) are spending the summer with Vicky's aunt (Patricia Clarkson) in Barcelona. They meet Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), a popular painter one night and their trip takes a big change. Antonio is charming, smart, good looking, thoughtful and nice; Vicky quickly likes him. Cristina is more wary, but she too comes around. We follow the three's love life that also includes Cristina's fiancee and Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz in well deserved Oscar winning role), Antonio's somewhat psychotic ex-wife.

The film is smart in dividing how people evolve in relationships and love. Vicky and Cristina are very similar but are yin and yang with love. Vicky is passionate and a romantic, Cristina looks for stability and commitment. Juan Antonio and Maria Elena share similar opposite style and lets the audience do some thinking. A pretty good movie, but I think it was oversold when it came out.

8/10
Recommendation: Typical Woody Allen movie. It's smart and sophisticated. Pretty enjoyable overall though.