Wonderful cast excel in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’

Director: Woody Allen

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz

Cert: 15

Allen returns to – nearly – his best form with this romantic comedy that, surely, will please the Spanish Tourist Board … seldom has Barcelona or the Spanish countryside looked more glorious.

It might even be said that the beauty of Spain emerges as the real star, even with such competition from such a great cast.

The story concerns Vicky (Hall) and Cristina (Johansson) on holiday in Barca – the former up-tight, the latter off-centre – and falling under the charms of dashing Antonio (Bardem) who invites them to sample the pleasures, of various kinds, of a weekend out of the city. Bardem gets his role off perfectly, not too much the chancer but enough of the charmer we can relate to.

And naturally they both fall for him, though the arrival of his nutter ex-wife (Cruz) adds an uneasy edge to thoughts of romance.

The cast are outstanding in the film, which ultimately seems to run out of steam and a sense of purpose. The main question throughout revolves around Antonio’s intentions … is he what he seems?

It’s worth the journey, even if the destination disappoints.

Star Rating: 4/5