|
|
Article: Woody Allen's Verbal Feast In 'Barcelona'
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- August 15, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
It's the same old opening credits, the elegant white font on the
black background, but the music is new. The pulse of a Spanish
guitar replaces the big-band brass that usually heralds Woody
Allen's films. Barcelona subs for Manhattan. The eroticism of Javier
Bardem and Scarlett Johansson replaces the neuroticism of an aging
New Yorker wringing his hands.
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona" goes down like sweet Riesling instead
of a chalky matzoh ball, and it's all thanks to Allen's extended
holiday in Europe.
It's done nothing but good for him -- and us. See his recent
England-set Shakespearean tragedies "Match Point" and "Cassandra's
Dream," in which he's pointed the camera toward something more ...