What It's Nominated For: Best Supporting Actress (Penelope Cruz)What It's About: Two sexy young Americans -- one level-headed and engaged to be married (Rebecca Hall), the other free-spirited and sexually adventurous (Scarlett Johansson) -- visit Barcelona for a summer holiday and are swept up in a life-changing romantic quadrangle with a charismatic painter (Javier Bardem) and his emotionally volatile ex-wife (Cruz).
Why You Should See It: Writer-director Woody Allen abandons his recent fascination with the darker side of things (see 'Match Point' and 'Cassandra's Dream') to deliver a film that's rife with his trademark witty banter and infused with a zest for life, wine and love affairs. The gorgeous cast and breathtaking Spanish landscapes are intoxicating; Cruz's go-for-broke portrayal of super damaged, super passionate artist Maria Elena is utterly mesmerizing; and, if you still need more incentive, Penelope and Scarlett's foray into girl-on-girl action should do the trick.
It's Kind of Like: 'Wild Things' meets 'Hannah and Her Sisters' (or pretty much any other Woody Allen comedy)
How You Can See It: Available now on DVD
Get more info on 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'
Buy 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' DVD | Rent 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' DVD
See full list of 2009 Oscar nominations
Buy 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' DVD | Rent 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' DVD
See full list of 2009 Oscar nominations
Reader Comments (1)
Tom at 11:04PM on Feb 16th 2009
Saw the movie and as usual, Penelope Cruz is gorgeous . But more than that, she gives a no-holds-barred and totally believable portrayal of a passionate and crazed artist. She definitely pulls you in. Then again, Scarlett is her usual, sensual (and professional), well-cast character. The movie, in my opinion, was predicatble. But the cinematography was terrific and all the characters are beautiful people. Not at all the greatest but definitely a good flick. And Penelope Cruz is excellent.