'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' review

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Analytical, self-aware and engaged Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and impulsive, newly single Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) embark on a summer jaunt to Spain, where they meet ultra-confident painter Jose Antonio (Javier Bardem). Cristina’s feelings for Jose Antonio and Vicky’s secret night of passion with him are further complicated by the return of his beautiful but hotheaded ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz).

Big question: Can writer-director Woody Allen bounce back from the unfocused "Cassandra's Dream" and unfunny "Scoop"?
 
Catch it: With his best film in years, Allen seems re-energized and curious about seeing and understanding love's ambiguities, as if he just got new lenses and can't wait to use them. The film is smart, sexy and so alive with desire you can practically hear it sizzle, set to the sound of Spanish guitar and fluid commitments that float along with the breeze.
 
Skip it: If you’re only interested in the film because you heard about a Johansson/Cruz makeout session, since the kiss is incredibly short. Hey, we don’t want you to be disappointed!
 
Bottom line: Cristina has a spontaneous change of heart that Allen can’t explain, and a late scene involving Maria Elena pushes things a little too close to farce. But the film is perfectly cast and incredibly thought-provoking in its look at love’s many challenges -- specifically, the hollow sadness you hear when someone tries to convince themselves that they're happy or that they don't want what they know they do.
 
Bonus: Jose Antonio waits about three seconds before proposing a threesome with Vicky and Cristina. You decide if he’s being overly forward or just very honest about his intentions.

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