Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are two best friends away in Barcelona, when they run into a sexy, Don Juan type, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) who delivers a hilarious put-it-out-there offer for the three of them to spend the weekend together. We love him from the start – straight forward and seemingly genuine with nothing to hide – a sort of comic (Spanish-looking) version of George Clooney. Bardem has us wanting the girls to join him, since it’s apparent, from his crafty dialog, that this man can’t live alone especially since he spends all his time idolizing yet condemning his ex (Penelope Cruz). Undoubtedly this is writer/director Woody Allen’s little fantasy-fest and it works. Not to mention that clearly his marriage to his daughter Soon Yi has given him the happiness needed to create his best piece of work in twenty years. Every inch of this story, especially when Juan’s deranged ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) arrives unannounced, is seductive and understood. The narrator crutch – setting up each character much like a sitcom (which thrives on ‘the hook’) -speeds up the backstory so that we’re on board within five minutes. The most interesting thing about this particular summer romance is that nobody truly evolves come autumn. The stunning Cruz steals the show with her crazy, passionate performance, that at this point into the season, should declare her the Best Supporting Actress win. She and real-life boyfriend Bardem are not only a force as a team but a credit to their craft, unlike any other Hollywood romance. Four tiaras
