Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008)

A lot can happen in one summer in Barcelona.

If you're two young American women, perhaps visiting Europe takes you out of your day-to-day routines. This may give you a chance to see yourself and your life from a new perspective.

Vicky (Rebecca Hall) wasn't the type to get swept up in romance and fantasy. She had her normal life planned out. She was getting married to an average, successful man. He will provide for her economically, as her 2-carat engagement ring testifies.

Christina (Scarlett Johansson) was the type that didn't know what she wanted. She only knew what she didn't want. She was much more open to experimentation and didn't feel the need to conform to society's box. If a strange Spanish man invites her to go away for the weekend, she will be open to the offer.

When they meet Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), a "bohemian" painter, Christina is immediately attracted. He seems dangerous, maybe a little intoxicating. Romantic. Vicky sees him as a "Don Juan" type, but she also gets swept up in his charm and sexuality. They both accept his offer to go away for a weekend.

Juan Antonio makes it clear that he finds both women attractive, and he's willing to see what happens with either or both of them. Meanwhile, he has an ex-wife who gets mentioned continually in conversation, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz). Quickly enough, Vicky becomes infatuated with Juan Anontio, but Christina is the one who ends up moving in with him. Then Maria Elena reenters the picture, and for a moment, Christina accepts her addition and falls into a relationship with both Maria Elena and Juan Antonio. They call Christina the "missing piece" that completes their relationship.

But Christina soon feels that she wants to be more than the missing piece to another couple's relationship. When the summer comes to an end, Christina and Vicky return to America. Vicky is still married to her man, but she already knows she's made a mistake. Christina is still trying to find what she's looking for (is she "chronically unsatisfied" as Maria Elena suggests?). And Juan Antonio will likely have already found a new woman to fill his bed.

As usual, Woody Allen's script explores key philosophical questions. Why are people so unhappy? What does it take to find a permanent relationship that "works" -- or is a permanent relationship even possible?

Rating: 5/5 stars

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