Light House Film Club

Director: Woody Allen

Cert: 12a

Time: 1 hr 36 mins

It’s been a while since the words “good film” and Woody Allen have appeared in the same sentence, such has been the lack of quality pervading his recent output.  Vicky Cristina Barcelona sees a return to form and whilst the film does not attain the heights achieved with Manhattan, it is nevertheless an engaging and thought provoking piece.

As the title suggests we are in Barcelona which provides a stunning backdrop to the romantic adventures of Vicky and Cristina. These two young Americans spend a summer in Spain where they meet a flamboyant artist (Javier Bardem) and his beautiful but insane wife (Penelope Cruz). Vicki (Rebecca Hall) is straight laced and about to be married, whilst Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) is a sexually adventurous free spirit.

By bringing all these characters together Allen provides the perfect vehicle for him to examine that eternally perplexing subject of love and the decisions that one makes in finding it; should I stick with safe but dull Doug or switch horses to the charismatic but chaotic Juan Antonio?  And therein lies one of life’s great quandaries, which this film delightfully explores.

Rating: 3/5

Patrons: 18

CA