A COQUETTISH ART

Right after watching the Oscars I immediately went to the nearest theater in town to watch the award-winning Vicky Cristina Barcelona. In the film, Penelope bags her first Oscar win as Best Supporting Actress. She also won in BAFTA and Spirit Awards. The film also won as Best Picture (Comedy or Musical ) in the Golden Globes. Being a critically acclaimed film, I decided to drink the erogenous hooch with Vicky and Cristina in Barcelona.

Two American friends are taking a summer hiatus in Barcelona. Vicky is a highly strung student and affianced to be ringed. Cristina is a flirtatious and bubbly lady who is still searching for something more, but still confused about her priorities. One night, they meet Juan Antonio a fervid Spanish artist who requests to fly them to Oviedo and intends to have orgy with them. Cristina immediately accepts the offer, and Vicky, who hates the idea because she's engaged, somehow is beginning to fall in the hands of Juan Antonio. But someone is coming to wreck their vacation when Juan Antonio's tottering ex-wife Maria Elena comes back to join the scorching orgy.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona talks too much but it never fails to entertain. I'm not a huge huge follower of Woody Allen but watching this film makes me want to check his previous projects. The film surprises me with its nifty script. This is not a laugh-out-loud comedy but it's definitely one of the best dark comedies I've seen in years. The characters are funny especially Maria Elena and Cristina. Did I mention about the orgy??? Oh yeah, it is really shocking to see Scarlett and Penelope kissing together and then Javier joins them. This is so Y Tu Mama Tambien! Oh yeah, this one reminds me of that film from Cuaron but Tambien is more sexy and adventurous.

Aside from the nifty script and the orgy, I really love the sunny feel of Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The film really shows the pulchritude of Spain. It promotes good tourism. The schmoozes are mostly shot in in a breezy spot and it's purely inviting. The music also adds to the mellifluous journey in the city. It's just amazing. The film is in English and Spanish. The blend is just humorous as long as Maria Elena is there blubbering out in her native tongue.

As the film promotes lavishly about the city, it is palpable that Allen is not forgetting about his actors. All of them are amazing and indeed Penelope shines like a superstar. We've seen her before struggling in her previous films because her English accent is sometimes vexatious, but in Vicky Cristina Barcelona she nails it down with her timing . Definitely a winning Oscar performance!!! Congrats Penelope, a well-deserved win!!! Scarlet Johanson is cute and sexy. Rebecca Hall gives a remarkable acting but she's quiet forgettable. She is not even in the poster and the film is also about her. Too bad she is overshadowed by the famous troika. Last year, Javier Bardem scared me in No Country for Old Men. In this film, he is also scary. Oh cmon, for me he is not that handsome, he is not fitting to play the “Lothario” Juan Antonio. He is just a good actor period. They should have cast a Latino Hunk instead. He is the reason why the orgy is not that scorching.

I really wish Vicky Cristina Barcelona extends its run here. I hope the buzz about Penelope's win helps a lot. This is a sexy loquacious film about life and art. Sex is a fine art. But don't expect too much sex coz MTRCB cut some scenes. It's still hunky-dory anyway. Experience the beauty and love in Spain. Viva Guapa Vida!!! I hope my Spanish is right!