Film: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Director:Woody Allen
Studio: Alliance Films
Principle Actors: Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson,Rebecca Hall,and Javier Bardem
Length of Feature: 96 minutes
Release Date: August 6, 2008.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexuality, and smoking. 

Reviewed By: Ashley Hunking (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada) 

Vicky Cristina Barcelona is western culture meeting its Latin lover during an identity crisis. Woody Allen writes and directs an intriguing and sexy story that audiences are going to love. The perfect combination of Allen's intelligence and humor and the ‘beautiful people cast' seduces the audience into laughing, gawking and pondering throughout. No criticisms here. Allen has recreated himself as a writer and director once again. Woody Allen's talking head has disappeared and his thought provoking wit reverberates through this gorgeous cast. Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a ravishingly look into questions of the heart through a hilarious and sexy comedy.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a story about two American girls who go to Barcelona for a vacation. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) is engaged to a man she loves with whom she can envision building a life. Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) is a free spirit that doesn't know what she wants but definitely knows what she doesn't want. Boarding with friends, Judy and Mark (Patricia Clarkson and Kevin Dunn), of Vicky's parents the two girls revel in European culture. At an art gallery opening, Cristina sets her eyes on a handsome painter, Juan Antonio(Javier Bardem). Later, when they run into each other at a restaurant, Cristina's wandering looks encourage Antonio. Antonio proposes that the two girls join him for a romantic weekend. Vicky is appalled and Cristina is intrigued. Both girls portray the anxiety that the prospect of passion arouses; fear for Vicky and excitement for Cristina. However, when the girls are introduced to Antonio's hot-blooded ex-wife Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) a whole new aspect of love is revealed: passion that breads insanity. Like all Allen films, each character is integral to the understanding of the others.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona is about relationships and the internal and external dialogue an individual has with and without their partner to make sense of the love (or lack of love) that occupies his or her present situation. What it all comes down to -- love is complicated and contradictory. People desire security and spontaneity, stability and adventure, respect and passion. Is this film telling us that to have all of these elements is rare at best, impossible even? Antonio declares, "Only unfulfilled love can be romantic...I was in love with the most incredible woman and she put a knife into me." In Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Woody Allen has captured a mature yet wildly fun statement about love on film. Like it's Anglo-Saxon counter-point Annie Hall, this Latinized (and far more humorous) examination of love is a masterful bookend on a sometimes erratic but always intelligent directorial career.