Review: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Rating: **1/2
Nonna's Rating: $$
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Vicky Cristina Barcelona has come into its share of good reviews. After a string of mediocre Woody Allen films, critics seemed delighted to have a movie they could discuss without disparagement. The story is well told and the acting is natural and engaging. Javier Bardem, thank the Lord, is not channeling Woody Allen the way Kenneth Branagh did in Celebrity (for my money, Allen's worst film). Bardem is at his charming best. Penelope Cruz does "Penelope Cruz Crazy And Out Of Her Mind" and has earned some recognition (including, with Bardem, a Golden Globe nomination). The picture has also been nominated for a Golden Globe. Why? I'm not quite sure. It's a harmless piece of fluff which, like so many of Allen's films seems to be playing out his fantasy life -- in this case a menage a trois (and then a quatre). The bottom line is that the arrangements don't work. Women get jealous. Not such a huge surprise. Not exactly great revalatory theatre. I don't think the film is worth all the fuss. Woody can do better.
Nonna's Ratings:
$$$$ = Worth paying the Friday evening price
$$$= Worth paying the Matinee price
$$= Worth a rental
$ = Wait for cable
# = Skip it
$$$$ = Worth paying the Friday evening price
$$$= Worth paying the Matinee price
$$= Worth a rental
$ = Wait for cable
# = Skip it
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