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randall 
"I like to watch."
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 Posted - 08/06/2008 : 01:32:02
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Woody Allen's new film loves on Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia like MANHATTAN did on, well, Manhattan. In this one, we have females playing the two sides of the Woodman's public persona: Rebecca Hall as Vicky, his repressed ego, and Scarlett Johansson as Cristina, his adventurous id. On a summer vacation in Barcelona, they both meet Javier Bardem. 'nuff said? Both women are presented as real people; not Hollywood-scrubbed, just naturally gorgeous.
It's a tender story of love and longing, and Allen no longer feels he has to provide a laugh line every two minutes [though there are plenty, one huge guffaw from just a reaction shot]. Also new to Allen is a voiceover providing most of the exposition, so the film proper is essentially a collection of scenes, or blackouts if you prefer. Although this device worked fine for me, I'm prepared for some critics to sniff at an "easy way out."
The Spanish setting is gorgeously captured. Penelope Cruz steals the second half as a hell-bound harridan. Is Woody getting comfortable in Europe? This is a love letter to the region. |
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Vicky Cristina Barcelona
