Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona with Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem (From Western Telegraph)

Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona with Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem

8:40am Monday 6th July 2009

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Vicky Cristina Barcelona (12) Flighty and single Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) and soon-to-be-married Vicky (Rebecca Hall) head to Barcelona for the summer where they stay with the latter's relatives.

Taking in the sights, the young women catch the eye of artist Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem). Cristina falls under Juan Antonio’s spell and they embark on an affair, only for his crazy ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz), to stir up dormant desires.

A love triangle becomes a rhombus when Juan Antonio casts admiring glances at Vicky and she questions the depth of her feelings for her workaholic fiance, Doug (Chris Messina).

Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a welcome return to form for director Woody Allen.

Financial backing from the Spanish tourist board accounts for flattering shots of the Catalan capital and its architectural splendours.

This jaunty holiday romance really catches fire though when Oscar-winner Cruz slinks into shot, bringing a damaged quality to her sassy senora.

“You take beautiful photographs,” Maria Elena tells Cristina sweetly as she massages Juan Antonio's neck. “How do you know I take pictures?” asks the American nervously. “Because I went through your luggage,” replies the ex-wife. “I wanted to know who was really sharing the bed of my ex-husband.”

The film reaches its dramatic and comic crescendo as Cruz takes her character to the brink of emotional breakdown.

Sexual heat with Bardem overpowers any chemistry between the actor and Johansson and Hall, the latter adopting the neuroses and insecurities usually reserved for Allen himself.

RATING: ***
Damon Smith

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