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February 22, 2009
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
I have often denounced Woody Allen and most male film-makers for being completely incapable of creating 3-D women. Until today, I assumed their inability to see through women's eyes was sheer laziness with a dash of misogyny. But now, I think it may be a deeper problem than that; I think it might truly be difficult for men to understand women.
I never believed that before because I've always had close relationships with men. I assumed the majority of my friends were female because of circumstances: going to a women's college, being involved in a women's peace organization. But today I've come to appreciate a simple truth: women's complexity is quite difficult for men to understand or follow.
So, though I still have great problems with the vast majority of Allen's films, I do appreciate his attempt at describing female desire in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The characters weren't completely believable, and I do hate how intense female charisma always equals off the edge crazy to men...but then, I do have to admit there is truth in that statement.
It's not the best Allen flick. Penelope Cruz doesn't have enough lines to deserve the Oscar she may get tonight. And besides, I'm really tired of the fact that all the female Oscars go to crazy parts or historical roles, whereas male actors are honored for a more widely ranging field of roles.
I'm also not clear why I thought the movie would be sexier than it was. Why did I listen to the marketing rather than use my head and remember what sex is like in an Allen film? Oh well. At least I experienced plenty of Bardem screen time. Must rent Entre Las Piernas again...
Rotten Tomatoes Top Critics reviews
Kenneth Turan's review in the LAT
Richard Corliss in Time:
Well, why shouldn't Allen have a crush on Juan Antonio? For one thing, he dreamed the character up; for another, Bardem doesn't have to work hard to radiate the sensitive machismo of a man who doesn't use women so much as he allows them to briefly fulfill their dreams in him. Visually, too, the movie is in love with Barcelona, its gnarled Gaudi buildings, and with the countryside of Ovieto, a hundred shades of glorious earth tones. (The cinematographer is Javier Aguirresarobe, who has shot films directed by Pedro Almodovar, Victor Erice and Alejandro Amenabar.)
Andrew O'Hehir in Salon
When Bardem and Cruz are in the film together, ripping into their Latin-lover caricatures with gusto, they hijack it almost completely away from the enervated Yankettes. (Allen doesn't speak Spanish, and uncharacteristically allowed Bardem and Cruz to freelance extensively on the set.)
Ebert's review (which I haven't finished reading because I must start getting ready for an Oscar party...)
Posted by cj at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)