This could have been called ‘Thangamma Mangamma Panama’ or ‘Divya Vidya Libya’ or some such to give us a rib tickle for it does nothing else but to make you wonder what the point of the movie was! Ok, it was an anthropological excursion into the mindsets of the diametrically opposite who fall for a playboy who can’t get over his ex-wife but ends up sleeping with all three. Phew.
The story(?) revolves around Vicky and Christina who go on a holiday to Barcelona (rhyme rhyme). Vicky is an old school romantic who believes in emotional involvement and building something truly lasting. Christina is exploratory and will go with the flow with no expectations. They are approached by a playboy, Juan Antonio who wants to sleep with both of them (and he does eventually). I’d rather call him sott mooti subba (or man with the twisted face). While finding him initially repulsive, Vicky begins to get attracted to him but it is Christina who gets him first. And then his estranged wife Maria Elena comes back to his house and this results in a mangled mess where bodies are noodle strands (as is your brain by then!). Technically it is called polyamory. Go Figure!
Woody Allen, the king of the screwball comedy surely intended to be exploratory with this film. After all some film makers make films to ask questions and some to find answers. But, at the end of the day, it leaves the viewer confused with no food for thought and with no question except for what was the point? He manages to hold interest until Maria Elena enters the scene and then it goes awry.
Penelope Cruz got an Oscar for her role as Maria Elena and it makes you wonder as to what made her get it. She is either doped out or feverishly painting or blowing holes into Juan Antonio’s choice of women. One never knows. The only actor in the movie that deserves some plaudits is Rebecca Hall who plays the confused Vicky and showcases her state of limbo convincingly. Javier Bardem as Juan Antonio and Scarlett Johannson as Christina are ordinary with nothing to write home about.
This film is a disappointment and is eminently avoidable as an anthropological nightmare.