…so I guess I’ll go with this one.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona, like Volver, is just the kind of movie Penelope Cruz needs to be in. It’s another example of her appearing more comfortable in a Mediterranean environment. It also seems that Scarlett Johansson is a little more comfortable, too, but not much more can be said about her acting. The movie seems to start deciding to be good the moment Cruz’s volatile character walks onscreen. That’s not to say that the first half was bad; its potential just ignited once everything was in place, and the story was allowed to proceed.
The movie is presented in a storybook sort of fashion. It has a beginning, a middle, a twist, and an end. There isn’t much to grasp, so it’s best to just enjoy the ride. It’s a lot easier to swallow once this is understood. However, I didn’t like the fact that some obviously mature subject matter was treated somewhat tamely, like when a parent spells risque things out in front of their child, as a form of censorship. There’s something about the constant uttering of “make love with,” and “go to bed with” that felt rather unnatural. C’mon, Woody Allen. Seinfeld said “sex” in the 80s. I’m sure audiences can handle it these days.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona is quirky, to say the least. It’s definitely one of the better dramadies I’ve seen in a while.
Oh, and a photographer’s note: lol at the “Oh, I have a Leica all of a sudden” scene. Though it does explain those pictures of Scarlett Johansson on a set with one around her neck floating around the internet. And it was definitely more appropriate than seeing a Leica with black tape over the logo being used to photograph a crime scene in NCIS, or one of those prime time crime shows.
Can I see Watchmen now? Please?
No, spell check, I will not capitalize “internet.”
