Allen introduces the two leading ladies through an external voice belonging to the narrator (Christopher Evan Welch) who serves to fill in time gaps and fluidly transition important points in the film. Rather than casting himself as a prominent character, Allen seems content to remain behind the scenes, which is a wise decision after his disappointing role as Johansson’s overly neurotic mentor in the 2006 comedy, “Scoop.” Allen pens an intelligent script, allowing his first-rate cast the freedom to explore their roles without entirely losing his style of filming.
Describing the two best friends, the narrator notes their opposing personalities. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) is a beautiful brunette who is unerringly pragmatic; she is focused on finishing her thesis on Catalan identity in time for her impending nuptials to a Wall Street yuppie. Cristina (Scarlet Johansson) is a voluptuous blonde with the tendency to be flighty and without any discernible direction in her life. Nevertheless, the girls complement each other, with Vicky as the voice of reason and Cristina as the carefree dreamer.
Once they arrive in Spain, Vicky and Cristina get settled into the house of Vicky’s distant relatives, Judy and Mark Nash (Patricia Clarkson and Kevin Dunn). After doing some sightseeing around Barcelona, the girls accompany Judy and Mark to the opening of an art gallery, where Cristina is afforded her first glimpse of Juan Antonio (Bardem). Cristina is intrigued by Juan Antonio’s mysterious past experience of nearly getting stabbed by his psychotic ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz)—and Cristina makes no attempt to hide her attraction to Juan Antonio upon encountering him at a restaurant later that night.
Noticing the two beautiful women across the room, Juan Antonio approaches their table and introduces himself before unabashedly inviting both Vicky and Cristina to his hometown of Oviedo for the weekend to engage in a ménage à trois. He is subsequently perplexed by Vicky’s indignation over his scandalous proposition. For Juan Antonio, it is only natural to act on his attraction to the two women. The confident and sexy character of Juan Antonio is a far cry from Bardem’s last Academy Award-winning performance as a cold blooded killer in “No Country for Old Men.” Nevertheless, he plays Juan Antonio with surprising charm and poise.
After much debate on Vicky’s part, the two friends find themselves in Oviedo for the weekend. Due to a case of food poisoning, Cristina is unable to venture outside the hotel, leaving Vicky alone with Juan Antonio for a night of intoxicated love-making that remains with Vicky long after that weekend. Previously seen alongside Johansson in “The Prestige,” Hall gives an excellent performance with the perfect blend of wit and cynicism. After her experience with Juan Antonio, Vicky begins to reevaluate her priorities.
While Vicky is questioning her future, Cristina finds herself in a healthy relationship with Juan Antonio upon returning to Barcelona, unaware of what happened between him and Vicky. In her first genuinely good performance since “Lost in Translation,” Johansson embodies Cristina, flaunting her sexuality and bringing a contrasting innocence to her character. Unlike Vicky, who has her entire future mapped out, Cristina only knows what she doesn’t want, which makes Juan Antonio’s unpredictably appealing to her.
Cristina and Juan Antonio’s bliss is interrupted by the arrival of Maria Elena, who is repeatedly referenced until her debut halfway through the story. Rather than posing a threat to Cristina’s newly developed romance with Antonio, Maria Elena is absorbed into a polyamorous relationship with the two, strengthening the couple’s passion. Cruz is undoubtedly the highlight of the film. She gives a highly convincing performance as a troubled but beautiful painter, bringing profuse energy to the screen. Her fiery portrayal of Maria Elena is exciting to watch, especially during her darker scenes.
Another notable performance is given by Clarkson who, as Judy Nash, appears to have the perfect life that is in Vicky’s foreseeable future. Behind that façade, however, Judy is unhappily married to a man she no longer loves, lacking the courage to leave him. Instead of fixing her own life, she is intent on ensuring that Vicky doesn’t make the same mistake and end up in an unsatisfactory marriage.
Although it is classified as a comedy, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” delivers plenty of dramatic moments as Vicky and Cristina discover themselves and come to terms with the decisions they make. Although there is no express plot, the film ambles along, following the journeys of the title characters. From the script, to the direction, to the wonderfully selected cast, Allen’s film is delightfully crafted.