by Luanne Paul King

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

This intriguing film, set in Spain, was written and directed by Woody Allen. Two American women friends on vacation in Barcelona meet artist Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) at an exhibit. The women, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), have very different personalities. Vicky is a practical scholar working on a master’s degree on Catalan identity. She is engaged to reliable, nice-guy Doug (Chris Missina). Cristina just got out of a relationship she wants to forget. She hasn’t decided what she wants to do with her life. Vicky and Cristina are staying with Judy (Patricia Clarkson), a distant relative of Vicky. Judy reveals that Juan Antonio had a tumultuous relationship with his ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penélope Cruz). Later, in a restaurant, Cristina and Vicky notice Juan across the room. He comes to their table and nonchalantly invites them to Oviedo for the weekend where they can sightsee and make love together. Although Vicky isn’t interested, Cristina is so they both go. There, Cristina becomes ill. On their own, Vicky and Juan explore the environs, enjoying each other and eventually making love.

Back in Barcelona, Vicky says nothing to Cristina about the affair. Doug phones Vicky from New York and proposes a Spanish civil marriage; Vicky accepts. Cristina and Juan Antonio grow closer and start living together. Suddenly, Juan receives a call that former wife Maria Elena has attempted suicide. Since she has no place to go, Juan brings her to his home. And then things get even more interesting.

Penélope Cruz’s portrayal of flamboyant Maria Elena is brilliant. Woody Allen has conceived a rueful but beguiling drama.

Vicky Christina Barcelona. 96 minutes. PG-13; adult content.

Elegy

I saw this film late at night in San Francisco as the only person in the theatre. Without any rustling, munching and utterances of an audience, I could appreciate the subtleties of the acting, writer Nicholas Myers’ script and all the brilliant ideas Spanish director Isabel Coixet brought to illuminate the muted lives of the film’s characters. The cast — Ben Kingsley, Penélope Cruz, Patricia Clarkson, Dennis Hopper and Peter Sargaard — all delivered outstanding performances.

The story is about David Kepesh (Ben Kingsley), a literature professor from the U.K. who is in his sixties and likes to pick one of his woman students to seduce at the end of the semester when he gives a party for graduates. He chooses a beautiful Cuban-American, Consuela, played by beautiful Penélope Cruz. They gradually begin an affair and Kepesh begins to feel an unaccustomed tenderness for Consuela, unlike any love he has experienced. He becomes jealous and watchful of her other friendships. But when Consuela asks him to do something that means a lot to her, he can’t bring himself to honor her request. That was devastating to their love bond. Two years go by and then Consuela reappears in a crisis. She needs him and his love; they become more intimate and sustaining than ever. I would like to know what you think about the ending.

Elegy. 108 minutes. Rated R (for sexuality, nudity and language).