Love Changes | Vicky Cristina Barcelona

After his last disappointing outing, director Woody Allen bounces back nicely with his summer story of love, lust and lies in Spain in the humorous film, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”

Best friends Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are invited to spend the summer in Barcelona. While the two share a close friendship, they are total opposites when it comes to love. While Vicky approach is more stilted and safe, Cristina is content to go with the flow and take life as it comes. Within days, their philosophies are put to the test when the ladies meet the dashingly handsome painter Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem).

According to the local legend, he married his soul mate Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) and the two enjoyed a fiery relationship that culminated in her trying to kill him. With this knowledge, it comes as a major surprise when he invites them to spend the weekend with him.

With his intense stare and conversation free of any pretense, Juan Antonio is just what the doctor ordered for Cristina. While her friend is drawn to the ruggedly handsome artist, Vicky is aghast. Engaged to be married to a “safe conventional man,” she has major issues with the brutally honest Juan Antonio. After some strong prodding from her Cristina, the two are off on a weekend adventure with their charming host. Once again, Juan Antonio invites both ladies to share his bed, but only Cristina takes him up on his offer. Unfortunately, after too much to drink, she falls ill just before the big payoff.

While Cristina is on bedrest for the remainder of the weekend, Juan Antonio and Vicky are forced together. After meeting his father, the uptight Vicky slowly begins to warm to his charms. After a late night outdoor concert, the feeling of amore gets the better of Vicky who sleeps with Spanish playa under the stars. Hiding her indiscretion from her best friend, the two head back to Barcelona to resume their summer vacation – each with the lingering effects of Juan Antonio all over each other.

Days later, Smooth Operator Juan Antonio reaches out to Cristina and soon the two are hot and heavy, with her even moving in with the sensitive artist. While Cristina has never been happier, her best friend is dazed and confused. Once content with her safe relationship, she has grown bored of familiarity and longs for the passion that she shared during her one-night love affair with Juan Antonio.

Just as Cristina is settling in her new lover’s home that Juan Antonio finds out that his ex-wife and soulmate, Maria Elena has tried to commit suicide. He retrieves his despondent mate and brings her back to his home to live with them for several months. Initially, Maria Elena is very suspicious of the young American’s motives, but over time the three settle into a relationship of their own. Where once there was conflict, with Cristina in the mix suddenly the two former combatants are having the time of their lives.

Diving into familiar territory for director Woody Allen, infidelity, illicit indiscretions and overwhelming feelings of guilt are right in his wheel house. While the buzz on the film is the discussion of the lesbian kiss shared by Johannson and Cruz, this tale dissects the meaning of love, commitment, marriage and regret and is very well executed. Real-life lovers Bardem and Cruz use aspects of their relationship to demonstrate that sometimes people who love one another simply can’t be together. “We’re meant for each other and not meant for each other, it’s a contradiction,” explains Juan Antonio.

After the disappointing “Cassandra Dreams,” this film is a pleasant bounce back tale. In addition to solid performances from the three main principals, Patricia Clarkson is very solid in a smaller supporting role. The former New York auteur appears to have adjusted nicely to making films in Europe. Featuring three of Hollywood’s sexiest actors, Johansson, Cruz and Bardem, stunning European sets and architecture and a witty script from Allen, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” may make you question your love but will jar you to your senses.

Grade: B