- Spain has undoubtedly inspired a new (or, revived) type of Allen film, always observing its characters, but with sympathy more than cynicism
- the three central characters, played by Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, and Javier Bardem, are all flawed but captivating characters. Hall, in the only role I've seen from her outside of playing a period character in The Prestige, is wonderful, playing out her indecisions in tangible fashion
- narration is at first off-putting because of Christopher Welch's irritatingly casual tone, but is written beautifully. the connection of the opening and closing narrations perfectly encompass the complexities and simplicities (not in that order) of the picture
- Allen smartly goes to the native Javier Aguirresarobe (Talk to Her) for lensing, capturing the language in characters' eyes as well as Barcelona's streets with equivalent excellence
- Penelope Cruz enters the picture with only about forty minutes to spare, and her presence is immediately felt. all characters are affected and the influence adds so much more to the film. She is both beautiful and detesting, innocently manipulating Johansson with grace
- believe it or not, Vicky is as liberal a film regarding relationships as he's ever made. the hypocrisies of "relationship rules" are broken down quickly through the Americans' culture shock while this free perspective is in turn criticized
- note: in one scene, at dinner with fellow good-intentioned snobs, Hall's husband begins a joke about Indonesian rugs or of such but the audio goes silent while Hall contemplates the dullness of her future. Patricia Clarkson is also adequate in this sense as swiftly adding an element of falling out of love with someone you marry thru boredom
9/classic Allen, updated
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