Another day for Scarlett Johansson. And this time we also
have Rebecca Hall and Penélope Cruz. And it’s a Woody Allen film. Spoiled, that’s
what I am.
Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are
spending their summer in Spain. Whilst there they meet the
devastatingly charming painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) who takes an
instant liking to them both and offers to take them off to a beautiful little
town. Oh, and also to make love. He has quite the effect on both women
(eventually) and it’s interesting to watch.
When Juan Antonio says that he wishes to sleep with both Vicky
and Cristina they react a little differently. Cristina isn’t sure what she
wants from life yet so is open to new experiences, while Vicky has a life plan
and sleeping with a stranger isn't on it. Both agree to fly off to
the town with him but only Cristina says she will sleep with him. With the
delightful line, “I’ll go to your room but you’ll have to seduce me.”
Cristina is taken ill and it allows Vicky and Juan Antonio
to spend time together. Despite her initial misgivings, Vicky quickly warms to
him. He is so honest about his feelings about everything, it’s refreshing
actually. It’s coming up again, it’s going to be a recurring feature of this
blog but: they clearly enjoy spending time together and it’s lovely. He is
quite taken with her even though she isn’t the creative type he seems to
favour. They listen to music together and are both moved which goes some way in
explaining why Vicky drops her guard and gives in to her feelings for him.
They return and Juan Antonio goes off with Cristina. Vicky
isn’t sure what to make of it, her life seemed simple to her before: marry
Doug, get a big house, live practically. But now it’s all changed and she can’t
stop thinking about this impulsive man. Meanwhile, Cristina moves in with Juan
Antonio and eventually his ex wife, Maria Elena (Penélope Cruz). While awkward
at first they all realise they complement each other nicely and their
relationship evolves to include the three of them.
Having more than two people in a relationship has always
interested me. Can you find everything you need or want in just one person? I
don’t know what the average number of relationships people have in their lives is but each person must have given you something a little different to the last.
So why not have more than one other person in a relationship at a time? Perhaps
people would be happier that way, relationships might last longer and there
might be fewer instances of cheating. I don’t know, it just seems to make sense
to have more than just two people in a relationship.
The intensity of Penélope Cruz is wonderful. And I just love
the spontaneity all throughout the film and that everyone is so honest about
their feelings.
8/10
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