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A Romantic DVD Encounter with Vicky Cristina Barcelona
by Larson Hill
 When exploring a Woody Allen film, there's always something underneath the surface that sets his films apart from the Hollywood formula people have been conditioned to accept. With societal standards falling lower by the week in synch with the education system, it's hard to imagine that future moviegoers will be able to sit through a movie like Vicky Christina Barcelona. In a year dominated by comic book movies, it's no surprise that Vicky Christina Barcelona didn't get the true mainstream attention it deserves. And since the film arrives on DVD as a "film only" release, there's not much else to talk about except the movie.
For the most part, Woody Allen falls into two audience camps - those who love his films and others who have never connected to his stories. Woody Allen's films are always relatable in some form or another but they tend to veer left of center just enough to make you think about the ironic tragedy of life through the distinct paths of his characters. In many cases, it's the very point where opposites collide that you begin to understand where Allen is coming from. For Vicky Cristina Barcelona, it's the chance connection between four people that raises questions about love, sex, attraction, how we live our lives, and the very things that bind relationships and keep lovers apart while trying to provide an answer to the bigger question of what we all want in a relationship. Sometimes what we want is something we can't have. For some of us, what we truly want will come and go and last only a few brief moments in time. In some cases, who we are will prevent us from getting what we desire.
 When engaged grad student Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and her artistic friend Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) travel to Barcelona to breathe in life, the two budding roses end up becoming romantically entangled with a handsome painter named Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) who is still tumultuously connected to his hot-blooded ex-wife artist Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz). Vicky and Cristina swap places with one another as they both get closer to Juan who has his own issues of lasting love with his ex-wife from a relationship that couldn't withstand the power of their own individuality.
Vicky and Cristina handle love and life in two different ways, with Vicky leading a more organized and secure lifestyle than the hasty and inconsistent Cristina. And it's Cristina's impulsiveness that forces Vicky to confront certain issues about her ability to be open when her friend accepts Juan's invite for the two to spend a weekend getaway together. However, Vicky is already leery of Juan after hearing of his explosive relationship with his ex-wife while Cristina is more eager for the experience of forbidden lust.
 Throughout the story, all four discover something new about themselves that otherwise wouldn't have happened if Vicky and Cristina hadn't traveled to Barcelona, which includes a romantic encounter between Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz. Vicky and Cristina travel down two distinct roads with Juan that both mean different things to each in terms of substance. And while the choices each character makes and the bonds they form are romantically rewarding and enlightening, there is a price to pay for their actions. But the way each character is linked through their passion for the arts, culture, and romance is the connective tissue that provides a solid foundation for the unexpected in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. And budding writers take note: Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a good lesson in how to effectively use many forms of conflict through the lives and actions of characters.
Like I mentioned, Woody Allen falls into two audience camps - those who love his films and others who have never connected to his stories. If you've never checked out one of his movies, take the time to see Vicky Cristina Barcelona now that it's on DVD. Hopefully Vicky and Cristina’s adventure will serve as the doorway into familiarizing yourself with many great Woody Allen films, which this one is.
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