Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Woody Allen's latest comeback, is nothing like the return to form his apologists claim, but it's not terrible, which is a mercy after his grim trio of British projects.
Comment
02/06/09
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
82
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:185
Fresh:151
Rotten:34
Average Rating:6.9/10
Consensus: A beguiling tragicomedy, Vicky Cristina Barcelona charms with beautiful views of the Spanish city and a marvelously well-matched cast.
Genre: Comedies
US Box Office: $23,164,041
Synopsis: Two young Americans spend a summer in Spain and meet a flamboyant artist (Javier Bardem) and his beautiful but insane ex-wife (Penelope Cruz). Vicky (Rebecca Hall) is straight-laced and about to... [More]
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Penélope Cruz, Rebecca Hall, Javier Bardem
Director: Woody Allen
Reviews for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
21 - 40 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
No doubt about it, Allen’s latest throwaway rom-com is utterly silly, forgettable and predictable. It’s also his most purely entertaining film in years.
02/06/09
This is not as terrible as most of Allen's recent efforts, but it's thin to the point of scrawny, irksomely pseudo-intellectual and cringe-makingly creepy.
02/06/09
A sun-speckled slice of froth that’s very watchable, although it reveals little new about the mysteries of the human heart. It may be Allen’s best film in years – just don’t expect Annie Hall.
02/06/09
Cruz’s best role yet. Scarlett and Penelope end up snogging in a photographic dark room. Which just about tips VCB up to four hats.
02/06/09
Within Allen’s recent output, Vicky Cristina is the highlight. See it for beautiful locales, an ambivalent look at human relationships and a clutch of great performances, especially from Cruz.
02/05/09
Top CriticThe script is witty and playful, the casting just right.
02/05/09
¡Arriba! Woody Allen's Spanish fiesta is his best film of the millennium and his funniest since 1994's Bullets Over Broadway.
02/05/09
Woody Allen’s spoof of the Don Juan myth Vicky Christina Barcelona is his best film this century.
02/05/09
Top CriticSome judicious editing could have cut a cracking hour-long film out of the final product, but as things stand Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a decent flick blessed with great performances and a corking set up.
02/05/09
Sex and sun, but no sizzle – Vicky Cristina Barcelona is watchable fluff, but *gasp* is it time for Woody to think about retiring? If so, he could do worse than Barcelona.
02/05/09
Woody Allen is back in top form with this sparkling comedydrama. Its highlight is a fabulously funny and passionate performance by Cruz.
02/05/09
The erotic roundelays are so witty – Marivaux with sex – that I am now afraid to see a future Allen film. It will either be bad, returning us to the natural order of things, or good like this, demanding a rethink of the universe.
02/05/09
It’s determinedly silly, and possibly wishful-thinking, in essence. After what we’ve seen from Allen from Match Point onwards, its sheer entertainment value is a minor miracle.
02/05/09
Brilliantly written, beautifully shot and frequently hilarious, this is Woody Allen's best film in a long, long time, thanks to delightful performances from Hall, Johansson, Bardem and Cruz.
02/05/09
A sparklingly funny, meltingly sexy romcom.
02/05/09
Taking a leaf out of Pedro Almodovar's book, Woody Allen makes best full use of Penelope Cruz who's inclined to wilt if not placed in her native Spain.
02/05/09
At the end of the dia, the movie's a lovely, empty Spanish travelogue hosted by beautiful people, their problems no more taxing than whether to meet at the amusement park or the marina.
02/04/09
Vicky Cristina Barcelona doesn't feel like your standard Woody Allen comedy. And that's just one reason why it's such a joy to behold.
01/27/09
Entonces aparece por fin Penélope y la película recién comienza, o al menos se pone más interesante. Lástima que ya han pasado como 50 minutos%u2026
01/24/09
Latest News for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
January 27, 2009:
Milk Among GLAAD Nominees 
"Milk" has been a favorite on the awards circuit this year, and its hot streak has been extended courtesy of the GLAAD Media Awards, where it will compete in the Outstanding... More...
January 23, 2009:
Possibly distinguished solely for the first PG-13 lesbian smooching on screen ever, the film should be a trite, pleasing guy confection.
More...
January 19, 2009:
Actors And Crew Magazine: Possibly distinguished solely for the first PG-13 lesbian smooching on screen ever, the film should be a trite, pleasing guy confection.
More...
January 08, 2009:
Broadcast Film Critics Name Critics' Choice Winners
The 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards were given on January 8, 2009, to honor the finest achievements in 2008 filmmaking. A list of nominees follows below, with winners in bold: More...
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