5. Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008)
In 2008 the Woody Allen European tour moved from London and continued in Spain where the juxtaposition of American and European culture underpinned Vicky Christina Barcelona. We begin with two American women Vicky and Christina of the title who arrive in Barcelona for a holiday where they meet Juan Antonio, a charismatic painter played by Javier Bardem, and his fiery, passionate wife, Maria Elena who steals the film thanks to the powerhouse performance of Penelope Cruz. The second she appears on the screen the whole film take a new angle due to her sheer presence alone. As usual there is an unfair expectation that this is a rehash of Annie Hall and would be packed with one-liners. In this period Allen is broadening his horizons. The tone is clear rather than light and the characters are allowed to breath rather than fitting into an Allen-esque mould. The cinematography is beautiful and the performances are very assured. The film plays the needy against the fiery, the insecure against the passionate and repeats the trick of 'Match Point' by feeling fresh and modern but this time it doesn't mimic the work of another director. This is all Allen.