By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Chris Messina | Javier Bardem | Patricia Clarkson | Penélope Cruz | Rebecca Hall | Scarlett Johansson
Country: spain, united_states
Year: 2008
Running time: 96
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497465/
Bruce says: “Two girls are invited to Barcelona to spend July and August with friends Judy and Mark Nash (Patricia Clarkson and Kevin Dunn). Vicky (Rebecca Hall), whose fiancée is staying behind in New York, is working on a thesis in Catalan studies and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) has just completed her own 12 minute film, an endeavor that left her less than satisfied. The voiceover narration of Christopher Evan Welch clues the viewer in on what is happening off screen and he provides insight into the girls’ motivations and psyches.
“The Nash’s take the girls to an art gallery opening where they notice a striking man in a red shirt. Judy tells the girls that her husband has commissioned the man, a painter, to paint canvasses for his office. She also mentions his recent bitter, highly dramatic divorce. Later when the girls are dining alone, the painter happens to be at the same restaurant. Cristina keeps looking his way and Vicky admonishes her for her forwardness. Soon Juan Antionio (Javier Bardem, here more sexy than handsome) is at their table brazenly inviting them to a mountain town and into his bed. Vicky is shocked and Cristina agrees to go. Soon both girls are in his private plane.
“As Cristina falls suddenly ill, Juan Antonio succeeds in bedding Vicky amid her protestations. Upon returning to Barcelona Cristina begins her belated affair with the painter and Vicky learns her husband-to-be is surprising her by coming to Barcelona for the remainder of her stay. When the phone rings in the middle of the night, Juan Antonio learns that his ex-wife is in hospital and he rushes off to her side. Cristina is dumbfounded when Juan Antonio returns with Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) in tow. Sparks of hostility between the two women fly until they bond unexpectedly on day. Soon a ménage-a-trois develops. Meanwhile Vicky feels left out. Although she has everything she wants it does not seem to be enough. When she and Judy share confidences, Judy stirs the pot a little too quickly and it boils over.
“It probably should not be much of a surprise that I do not agree with the critics and the year-end awards regarding the acting. I always go for the subtle, understated performances, the ones that address nuance rather than overblown emotion however real it may be. For me the best performance in the film is that of Rebecca Hall’s. She has many subtle psychological changes to contend with and the quality of her performance is what gives the film its spice and intrigue. Others seem to favor Penelope Cruz, who as far as I can see is channeling Anna Magnani. There is nothing wrong with her performance but it is mostly a one-note affair. Scarlett Johansson has less of a challenge than Rebecca Hall; the good news is that she is much better here, playing a character that only knows what she does not want, than she was as the hapless seductress in MATCH POINT. 4.5 cats”