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Mostly A Barcelona Bust
The only parts of Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Weinstein Co., 8.29) that feel truly alive and crackling are the Spanish-language scenes between Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz. These two, portraying a pair of tempestuous, self-obsessed painters whose marriage has fallen apart due to an overload of heat and impulse and Spanish vinegar, are dynamite together. They create spark showers when they rage and taunt and rekindle their mutual hunger and disharmony. Cruz, especially, is electricity itself. When she loses her temper, it's sheer bliss.
Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruiz, Scarlett Johansson and Woody Allen during filming of Vicky Crhistina Barcelona.
Unfortunately, there are many more scenes of them speaking Allen's English- language dialogue, and that's a significant problem. Not only for Bardem and Cruz but for costars Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall (the Christina and Vicky of the title) and secondary players Chris Messina, Patricia Clarkson and Kevin Dunn. I never thought I'd see the day when one of the great comedy writers of the 20th Century would write unintentional howlers, but this happens every so often in VCB, and I was not happy to witness this.
An even bigger problem is a persistent, obnoxious and thoroughly unwanted narration track that makes this story of overlapping, off-and-on love affairs in present-day Barcelona so on-the-nose and over-explained that I was feeling actively hostile less than 15 minutes in. Until Javier and Penelope went into their crazy-love routine, that is, and then everything was well again. In brief spurts.
There were boos in the Salle Debussy as the closing credits began to unspool. I don't know who was doing the booing, but I know I heard at least five or six guys letting go.
I haven't the time to write any kind of comprehensive review of this sometimes unintentionally comedic, frequently cliche-ridden parody of a Woody Allen film, but it dawned on me early on that it plays exactly like a Ben Stiller Show parody of a typical Allen effort. Allen has been accused of parodying himself for years, but now he's really done it. And it pains me to say this. No one filmmaker has given me greater pleasure for a longer period of time than Allen. I worship the guy, but VCB is agony to sit through at times. Some of it is fine or passable. You could call it a light romp and let it go at that. But when it goes off the rails...my God!
If it turns out that Allen was in fact spoofing himself (and thereby having us off) by mocking the kind of anguished, sometimes very funny, sometimes darkly subversive relationship movie he's been known for since the release of Manhattan nearly 30 years ago, then I will be hugely impressed.
But I seriously doubt if Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a jape. I think he made it with the same earnest spirit and intent that have fueled all his films. This is another story of artist- and intellectual-class characters falling in and out of affairs, sorting things out as they stroll through art galleries and other picturesque points of interest, betraying each other, acting badly (and sometimes hilariously), serving each other great meals and good wine and bringing out the hurt, lust and confusion.
Again, if only Allen had decided to make a Javier-and-Penelope movie in Spanish, and just gotten rid of the whole American-girls-visiting-Barcelona-and-learning- about-the-complexities-of-adult-love angle, he might have had something good and possibly great. A critic friend said on the way out that he believes Bardem and Cruz made up a lot of (if not all of) their inflamed Spanish-language dialogue. It's a sensible theory. Their back-and-forth is much sharper, explosive and more flowing than the English-language dialogue, so go figure.
During their fighting scenes Bardem repeatedly tells Cruz to speak in English. He does so out of consideration for the English-speaking Johansson, who, having become Bardem's live-in lover, is a constant witness. By my count he says this line to Cruz at least 9 or 10 times. Why it's repeated so often is mystifying. Every time he said this, of course, I was saying to myself, "No, no...keep it in Spanish!"
Oh, and the much-touted make-out scene between Johansson and Cruz, shot in a red-tinted dark rooom, is, at best, diverting. It's just a slow kiss or two and a slight embrace. It certainly doesn't build into anything. Allen cuts away just as it gets going.
It also seems strange that Allen has imposed a no-naked-breast-shot rule upon Vicky Cristina Barcelona. He's telling a story that's swimming in mad erotic currents, and yet he's clearly decided against boob exposure -- not even a casual random glimpse. It's obviously unnatural and very un-European. Presumably this was about avoiding an R rating, but the oddly prudish vibe works against the story and the general mood, so why even pick up the brush if you're afraid to paint a nipple?
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 16, 2008 at 1:15 PM
comment #1
Roman
says ...
In other words, it sounds great and I can't wait to see it.
I mean, for all their similarities, Woody Allen is not exactly Eric Rohmer. And it wouldn't be fair to expect that kind of style reversal from either of them. That said, the kind of movie you were describing (i.e. a rohmeresque movie in Spanish) does sound very appealing.
Posted by Roman
at May 16, 2008 2:12 PM
comment #2
Mgmax
says ...
So who was his Spanish-language dialogue director? Sounds like that guy has a future as a director ahead of him.
Posted by Mgmax
at May 16, 2008 2:13 PM
comment #3
diesel
says ...
is there ever going to be a reaction to the fact that scarlet johansen hasn't made a decent movie/part since lost in translation. i for one wouldn't mind her taking a break from making movies.
Posted by diesel
at May 16, 2008 2:16 PM
comment #4
erniesouchak
says ...
In other words, we should stick with Almodovar.
Posted by erniesouchak
at May 16, 2008 2:26 PM
comment #5
kino
says ...
Jeez how sad for Woody. He must be numb to these types of reactions to his films by now. All I can say is that it is nice to have Woody shooting back in New York where he really belongs even if he is more beloved in Europe. Hopefully his new and next film starring Larry David will bring back some of the old magic.
Posted by kino
at May 16, 2008 2:34 PM
comment #6
corey3rd
says ...
what about a blow by blow briefing of the girl-girl action!
Posted by corey3rd
at May 16, 2008 2:43 PM
comment #7
btwnproductions
says ...
I think Allen is the one who needs to take a break from movies. If this is really as poor as it sounds he's 0-2 this year, if anyone remembers the poor CASSANDRA'S DREAM. The Labor Day weekend release date in the US would indicate TWC is tossing this one into the dumper, too. But he'll keep churning them out, hit or miss (or, more likely, miss and miss).
When he feels well and truly inspired, then back at it. Now it's like he's in exile, going from country to country like a refugee, with his begging bowl extended for backing. With his diminished grosses and reputation, however, I'm not sure even Albania would host his next venture.
Posted by btwnproductions
at May 16, 2008 2:43 PM
comment #8
redmond
says ...
He needs to stop fawning over Scarlett Johannson. She looks completely out of place in every one of these shots and, besides her look (Hell yeah, she's hot!) her acting really isn't that fantastic. Even in Match Point when I cheered for character's fate. At any rate, her new album that's releasing shortly is also underwhelming. She's done. Next!
Posted by redmond
at May 16, 2008 2:45 PM
comment #9
Mgmax
says ...
John Philip Law is dead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFO-D3TInGg
Posted by Mgmax
at May 16, 2008 2:47 PM
comment #10
Roman
says ...
And Jeff, weren't you the one who posted the first early response for the movie from someone you know who said it was good and almost great?
Posted by Roman
at May 16, 2008 2:47 PM
comment #11
almirtovar
says ...
As much as I like Allen, it is passed time to stop with the now so old "it's not good, but still is a woody allen flick' discurse. He has some awful, awful films in his resumee (my God, i trully hate Jade Scorpion). True is, since Desc. Harry, everything (except, maybe, Match Point) is either a replay of other titles, or a failed attempt of something new, or simply a bad movie (hollywood ending is a single joke that last forever). Even Cassandra's Dream, that i watched some days ago, plays as a reprise of his other works - and not so well. And Scarlett Johanson....The bus on the road to hell has her movies playing all the time...ok, Lost in Translation is nice, Girl with a Pearl...is nice (though there is absolutelly no acting required from her on it)....but other than that.....yep, is a hell ride.
Posted by almirtovar
at May 16, 2008 2:50 PM
comment #12
VoiceOfReason
says ...
Jeff-
Who was your anonymous pal who praised this a few weeks back?
Posted by VoiceOfReason
at May 16, 2008 2:53 PM
comment #13
lazarus
says ...
I'm not a big Scarlett fan, but I thought Woody brought out her comedic skills excellently in Scoop. I think the fared better there than in the straight drama of Match Point.
I love how people here are talking like Woody has no audience left. While I won't excuse the nadir scraping Anythine Else or Jade Scorpion, I've enjoyed everything since then to varying degrees. Melinda & Melinda, Match Point, Scoop, and Cassandra's Dream all had their flaw, but he certainly isn't making the same film over and over again, even if he revisits similar themes.
I'm content to lower my expectations and take this for what it likely is--a hell of a lot better than most of the crap that comes out nowadays, even if it's not a masterpiece.
Posted by lazarus
at May 16, 2008 2:54 PM
comment #14
EOTW
says ...
Allen hasn't made a great (or even half good) film since Sweet & Lowdown. A masterpiece. Match Point was crap. And yes, SJ is nothing but a piece of ass. No acting ability at all.
Posted by EOTW
at May 16, 2008 3:03 PM
comment #15
Roman
says ...
Match Point wasn't crap. It was a brilliant film with a profound, surprising, yet wholly satisfying ending.
Posted by Roman
at May 16, 2008 3:16 PM
comment #16
Nick Plowman
says ...
I really wanted it not to suck.
Cannot wait to see it.
Posted by Nick Plowman
at May 16, 2008 3:22 PM
comment #17
Mr. Buckles
says ...
Just kind of have to ask, with all that you can see, VCB? What about Reprise of of "A Christmas Tale" (Un Conte de Noël"), from "Kings and Queen" director Arnaud Desplechin?
I just can't really see anyone getting jazzed for WA at this point. He still keeps a prodigous pace to his releases but you have to ask what really is left in the cannon, and I mean that with the deepest respect.
Posted by Mr. Buckles
at May 16, 2008 3:48 PM
comment #18
Richardson
says ...
"since Desc. Harry, everything (except, maybe, Match Point) is either a replay of other titles"
Try watching 'Crimes and Misdemeanors' and see if you're still able to make that exception.
Posted by Richardson
at May 16, 2008 4:02 PM
comment #19
Ogami Itto
says ...
Allen hasn't made a great (or even half good) film since Sweet & Lowdown. A masterpiece. Match Point was crap. And yes, SJ is nothing but a piece of ass. No acting ability at all.
In SJ's defense, she does have nice tits, too.
Posted by Ogami Itto
at May 16, 2008 4:02 PM
comment #20
alynch
says ...
For what it's worth, Todd McCarthy liked it quite a bit more.
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=review&reviewid=VE1117937165&cs=1
Posted by alynch
at May 16, 2008 4:30 PM
comment #21
fielding
says ...
Richard Corliss thinks it's Woody's most engaging film since Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Posted by fielding
at May 16, 2008 4:58 PM
comment #22
fielding
says ...
I should add, for the benefit of btwnproductions, that Woody may indeed go to Albania for funding. But that wouldn't be until 2012, I guess, since the outfit that funded VCB has signed a deal to finance his next 3 films (following the one he's shooting with Larry David). And he'll be getting bigger budgets than usual, too. Just for your information.
Posted by fielding
at May 16, 2008 5:12 PM
comment #23
Chris Willman
says ...
"Match Point wasn't crap. It was a brilliant film with a profound, surprising, yet wholly satisfying ending."
You've seen Woody's other films and you were surprised that he did a life-is-meaningless/crime-pays/there-is-no-god ending?
Posted by Chris Willman
at May 16, 2008 5:28 PM
comment #24
btwnproductions
says ...
Fielding as in Mellish? We can only hope that at least one of the four is passable, or we'll just go "Bananas."
Posted by btwnproductions
at May 16, 2008 5:30 PM
comment #25
Terry McCarty
says ...
It's time for Woody to consider a graceful Bergmanesque summing-up of his career since 1977--perhaps an ANNIE HALL sequel called ANNIE AND ALVY--and consider emulating Bergman by just writing screenplays for others to direct.
Posted by Terry McCarty
at May 16, 2008 5:35 PM
comment #26
fielding
says ...
According to Cinematical, "Allen has created one of his best works in years, a film that is funny, philosophical, and imaginatively explorative of the meaning of love and desire. Cruz turns in a performance that's better, even, than her Oscar-nominated turn in Volver; her Maria Elena is on-the-edge crazy, but is also very funny and engaging."
http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/16/cannes-review-vicky-cristina-barcelona/ (sorry, I'm a dummy who doesn't know how to do links)
Posted by fielding
at May 16, 2008 5:38 PM
comment #27
fielding
says ...
Oops - apparently I do know how to do links!
Posted by fielding
at May 16, 2008 5:39 PM
comment #28
Chinaski
says ...
"You've seen Woody's other films and you were surprised that he did a life-is-meaningless/crime-pays/there-is-no-god ending?"
An ending has to be surprising in order to be good?
Posted by Chinaski
at May 16, 2008 5:53 PM
comment #29
Roman
says ...
Let's see, 3 good reviews so far versus one by Jeff Wells. That's more like it!
Posted by Roman
at May 16, 2008 5:54 PM
comment #30
Doug Pratt
says ...
"I never thought I'd see the day when one of the great comedy writers of the 20th Century would write unintentional howlers"
I guess you haven't seen September
Posted by Doug Pratt
at May 16, 2008 6:18 PM
comment #31
berg
says ...
if tarantino, fincher, scorsese (or kubrick) would only make a film sometimes two every year for 30 years or more ... Jade Scorpion is a brilliant evocation of b-level 30s melodramas, sure Sweet and Lowdown is underrated but so is Celebrity ... Anything Else well it's just like anything else ... and SCOOP had an awesome ending ... now if only someone would make a movie based on the Waugh novel Scoop and cast Peter O'Toole as the third Scoop
Posted by berg
at May 16, 2008 6:20 PM
comment #32
fielding
says ...
Here's an evaluation from Time Out Chicago's blogger Ben Kenigsberg:
"The Barcelona-set Vicky is the director’s most enjoyable and fluid film in a long time—and certainly evidence that he hasn’t lost his comic timing. The story of two Americans in Spain (Rebecca Hall and Scarlett Johansson) who get roped into a romantic…pentagon by a mysterious painter (Javier Bardem), the movie is nearly stolen by Penélope Cruz.."
[url]http://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/?p=4085[/url]
Posted by fielding
at May 16, 2008 6:50 PM
comment #33
Christian Licorice
says ...
what was wrong with Anything Else? familiar elements appeared, but still, it had some good solid laughs in it (something sorely lacking in woody's flicks just prior to and since Anything Else) and christina ricci was not only tolerable but just about perfect as the smoking neurotic girlfriend.
maybe woody should have continued using christina as his muse (and his masturbatory fantasies).
Posted by Christian Licorice
at May 16, 2008 6:53 PM
comment #34
fielding
says ...
Emmanuel Levy likes it, too:
"With the right handling and positioning, VCB could become a hot date movie, bringing more audiences to the theater than any of Allen's recent pictures."
"Set against the luscious sensuality of Barcelona, VCB is Allen's funny, bright, and witty meditation on love, in all its romantic and sexual exhilarations and heartaches?above all its intriguingly and inherently elusive and mysterious nature. In a year - particularly this summer - in which most of the big action and comic-strip flicks are special effects driven and decidedly male-oriented, it's refreshing to see a smaller, more intimate work that revolves around women."
"Penelope Cruz [gives] the film's outstanding performance and should be considered seriously for the Supporting Actress Oscar (and other kudos) at year's end"
"...the tone is almost always right and the women, even the hysterical and neurotic ones, are so charming that you watch the film with good faith and a big smile, from the beginning all the way to the saga's logical conclusion. Perhaps the best compliment I can pay this romantic comedy is to say that Spaniard auteur Pedro Alomodvar, who resides in Madrid but adores Barcelona, would approve of Allen's work."
[url]http://www.emanuellevy.com/article.php?articleID=9957[/url]
Posted by fielding
at May 16, 2008 7:31 PM
comment #35
Roman
says ...
"You've seen Woody's other films and you were surprised that he did a life-is-meaningless/crime-pays/there-is-no-god ending?"
That's exactly it thougt. I thought I knew how the movie was going to end but I had another thing come it. Of course, in context of Allen's work it makes sense but the way he pulled it off was very convincing.
Posted by Roman
at May 16, 2008 7:35 PM
comment #36
K. Bowen
says ...
And the sex?
Posted by K. Bowen
at May 16, 2008 8:46 PM
comment #37
K. Bowen
says ...
And the sex?
Posted by K. Bowen
at May 16, 2008 8:47 PM
comment #38
dangovich
says ...
And the sex?
Based on the sex scene in Match Point, I wouldn't get my hopes up.
Posted by dangovich
at May 16, 2008 10:36 PM
comment #39
LYT
says ...
I don't think I can trust any major critics to review a Woody Allen film accurately, given how many liked Hollywood Ending.
But I too wish to know how the girl-on-girl action is.
Posted by LYT
at May 16, 2008 11:10 PM
comment #40
K. Bowen
says ...
I don't think I can trust any Baby Boomer critics with overly fond memories of Annie Hall to review a Woody Allen film accurately.
Posted by K. Bowen
at May 17, 2008 8:07 AM
comment #41
D.Z.
says ...
"An even bigger problem is a persistent, obnoxious and thoroughly unwanted narration track that makes this story of overlapping, off-and-on love affairs in present-day Barcelona so on-the-nose and over-explained that I was feeling actively hostile less than 15 minutes in."
I'll blame Harvey for that.
"Again, if only Allen had decided to make a Javier-and-Penelope movie in Spanish,"
He probably considered it, but Harvey hates people who are literate, since they make him look bad.
"It also seems strange that Allen has imposed a no-naked-breast-shot rule upon Vicky Cristina Barcelona. He's telling a story that's swimming in mad erotic currents, and yet he's clearly decided against boob exposure -- not even a casual random glimpse. It's obviously unnatural and very un-European."
I'm surprised you're complaining about that now, but not
after watching Match Point.
diesel: "is there ever going to be a reaction to the fact that scarlet johansen hasn't made a decent movie/part since lost in translation."
You mean Ghost World.
btwn: "With his diminished grosses"
You sound like Allen used to make as much money as the hacks behind Juno and Little Miss Sunshine.
Posted by D.Z.
at May 17, 2008 1:49 PM
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