[Quick Summary: When college friends Vicky and Cristina spend two months in Barcelona, each falls in love with the same artist, whose volatile ex-wife returns.]
I was surprised that the theme was so strong in this Woody Allen script.
It made more sense when I considered that:
a) The theme is unfulfilled love, and
b) Every character WANTS the same thing (variations of longing for love), but NEEDS something else. *
One of the script's strength is how strong that WANT is, yet it remains unfulfilled.
For example, in the scene below:
- Vicky had a fiancee, and was unprepared for her connection with artist Juan.
- They had a one night stand. He moved on easier than she did.
- On a whim, Vicky's fiancee suggested getting married in Barcelona.
- Vicky and Ben are in Spanish classes together.
- I thought this was a poignant conflict for Vicky who has attracted two guys, yet still feels unfulfilled because of a third guy.
INT. FRUIT STORE - CONTINUOUS
Ben reaches toward Vicky and clasps her hand.
NARRATOR (V.O.): ...he couldn't resist taking her hand.
VICKY: Uh...uh, no.
Vicky pulls her hand away from Ben.
VICKY (cont'd): Don't. I....
BEN: No?
VICKY: Ehhh, no. Yyyy-you-you-you do know...that I'm, I'm recently married.
BEN: Yeah, I...I guess I was under the impression that...maybe you jumped into it too quick, maybe you regret it...?
VICKY: Regret? Have, have I implied that?
BEN: Unless I read into it.
VICKY: No, I...I shouldn't tell you this. I, I, uh...you know what? I was always someone who thought I knew exactly what I wanted.
BEN: But you didn't.
Vicky shakes her head nervously.
VICKY: Well, no, I, I, I met somebody else and, uh...I'm not gonna get into that story.
BEN: So, this guy you met?
VICKY: The guy is, is living with my best friend. (sighs) You know? (chuckling) What am I talking about? When I...when I hear myself, it's just, it's just crazy. I just married the guy I wanted.
BEN: Did you?
VICKY: I thought so.
BEN: So? What happened?
Vicky shakes her head.
VICKY: One goddamned weekend in Oviedo.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I liked that each character wanted love, but a slightly different variation, which kept it interesting.
I also appreciate how Allen writes dialogue that stumbles around a bit, like people thinking aloud.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
by Woody Allen
*As a side note, I found that the comedy comes from characters choosing the wrong person to fulfill that want.
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