Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a sexy, funny divertissement that passes as enjoyably as an idle summer’s afternoon in the titular Spanish city. With Javier Barden starring as a bohemian artist involved variously with Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz and Rebecca Hall, pic offers potent romantic fantasy elements for men and women and a cast that should produce the best commercial returns for a Woody Allen film since Match Point. And, in the bargain, if Barcelona wants even more visitors than it already attracts, this film will supply them.

Just as London did when Allen went there for Match Point, the Catalan capital serves as an evident stimulus for the director. Even if the film provides a strictly tourist’s view of the city (a perspective justified by the scenario, in fact), and one just as upscale and heedless of money as ever for Allen, VCB is by several degrees more hot-blooded than his usual norm, thanks especially due to the palpable chemistry of Bardem and Cruz in the second half.

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See Scarlett perform songs from her album live over at AOL! Caps will be up this weekend. Be sure to view the videos, they’re really good.

By the way, according to reports Scarlett will not be present at Cannes for the presentation of Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Only Penelope Cruz and director Woody Allen will promote it there. I do not know the reason for this but we should have more details tomorrow after the press conference.

We now have the scans of the June issue of Paste magazine, courtesy of my wonderful friend Stef. Big thanks again to her for providing us with these!

I’ve added the article from the magazine as well as a recent - and very good, if I may add - interview from Pitchfork. Check them out:

• My Five Dads
• Interview: Scarlett Johansson

“The ambient noise, humidity, the heaviness, the inescapable stickiness that is the Bayou– it’s magical, in a way. Capturing that sound, that’s the thread or the glue that holds the whole album together. Because it spans Waits’ whole career and [because] there’s no specific storyline we were trying to follow, where we were is what really makes the album whole and cohesive. It was incredible being there. I’ve always loved Louisiana and particularly New Orleans, and I think a lot of people when they travel there, think they’re home there– there are just so many spirits, it’s so rich in culture. It’s steeped in [a] true [spirit of] individuality that makes this country. It’s the oldest part of our story, in a way. And being in that climate, it was really conducive to letting our imaginations soar. I found it to be the true inspiration for the album. I always associated the Bayou and that intoxicating air and, like you said, humidity, with Tom Waits. So it felt very apropos, I guess.”

This weekend will be very busy as Vicky Cristina Barcelona will take on Cannes. I am currently studying for my exams but I will try my very best at keeping you up to date with all the latest Scarlett related Cannes happenings.

GALLERY LINKS:
- Magazines: Paste (US) - June 2008