Travis Simpkins: Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008): Woody Allen, Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz

Set against the breathtaking, scenic landscape and Architecture of Spain, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) ranks up with the best of Woody Allen's dramatic works. Two of Allen's latter day muses are present: Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz. Allen wrote a great script, and both actresses perform amazingly under the Woodman's direction. Scarlett Johansson is stunning as always, her beauty radiating through every frame she is in. It is Penelope Cruz, however, that really steals the show here. Her powerful, chaotic, raging and sensitive performance is probably the best of her career, and she deservedly won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her work.

Two American friends, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are spending the summer in Barcelona, Spain. Vicky is semi-proper and engaged to be wed. Christina is more free spirited and adventurous. When artist Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) propositions them at a restaurant, Vicky is hesitant...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

But Cristina, on the other hand...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

she is more than willing to go for it...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

When Cristina suddenly gets ill with food poisoning, Juan Antonio shifts his attention to Vicky and they have a fling. It is over the next day, however, as Vicky wants to return to her fiancé, and Juan Antonio is now free to pursue Cristina once again. Cristina moves in with Juan Antonio and they have a passionate, complacent time. That is... until Juan Antonio's unbalanced ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz), herself an artist, comes back into the picture...