Vicky Cristina Barcelona - Various Artists

Advantages: Great acting, good story, great atmosphere
Disadvantages: Maybe the ending

.... However, Cristina seems flattered and spontaneously accepts the invitation. Vicky tries her best to dissuade her but with no success, so reluctantly follows her best friend to Oviedo. The film will then evolve around both women?s relationship with Juan Antonio as well as his crazy ex-wife (Penelope Cruz) in a summer that could change their perception of love forever. As soon as I started watching, I was gripped. I found the voice-over narration throughout the film quite pleasant and it kept me wanting to know more about what was going to happen. The film is set around various sites of Barcelona, and gives a really great atmosphere of Spain. Watching it felt just like being there on a hot summer night with the sound of the guitars. I thought the film was really good at making you feel the ambience, and it definitely made me want to go to... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: acting
Disadvantages: pace

...My knowledge of Woody Allen is sufficiently weak that, I confess, it means nothing more than overtly sexual movies to me (and I have no idea whether I'm right there). Allen was more my parent's generation, but this movie had a great write up in the Telegraph last week, and so I dove right in. The movie tells the story of two girls, Vicky and Cristina, on holiday in Barcelona. Vicky is straight-laced and polite, adhering to all of society's most dull rules and regulations. Cristina, a fiery blonde, is somewhat shallower, and simply aims to have a good time. When local artist (and hunk) Jaun Antonio offers them both a night in his bed, the story takes a turn for both girls that surprises them. This is a quirky little romance, with unpredictability at its core. It's enjoyable, but not mind-blowing. Its core strength is... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Thought-provoking, beautiful story, witty dialogue.
Disadvantages: None

...Vicky's best friend, is everything Vicky is not--she is spontaneous, passionate, willing to take risks in love and life, however, she has no idea what she wants from a relationship. The only thing she is certain about is that she doesn't want what Vicky wants... an empty marriage that has nothing going for it except mutual respect. The first few days in Barcelona are filled with the normal activities - sightseeing, getting acquainted with the local food and drink, shopping, and the usual museum-hopping and picture-taking... until they attend an art exhibition and Cristina falls for local artist, Juan Antonio, who possesses quite a colourful background and is well-known not only for his work, but for his explosive relationship with hot-blooded ex-wife Maria Elena, who, incidentally, attempted to stab him just before they called it quits... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful