I hadn't seen a Woody Allen film in a movie theatre for a long time until today, and I must admit that the idea of seeing a film by Allen wasn't what really drew me to it. I had gotten tired of his philosophizing, ultraneurotic characters and his self-justification of his sex life, and what really persuaded me to go to "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" was the idea of seeing Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson in a film set in Spain.

It more than lived up to my hopes, and I am happy to say that Woody Allen has made a film that will possibly restore moviegoers' faith in him. It is a drama with generous helpings of comedy, expertly cast and beautifully acted. Add to this gorgeous scenery, beautiful buildings and a soundtrack made up of some of the most famous pieces written for Spanish classical guitar, and you have one of the more enjoyable films of the year. And it naturally goes without saying that there is not a single special effect to be found.

Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are best friends spending a vacation in Barcelona. Vicky is engaged to be married and serious-minded, Cristina is unattached and more light-hearted. At a museum, they notice renowned artist Jose Antonio (Javier Bardem) at a distance. Antonio is not only famous for his work, but for his stormy love life; his disturbed ex-wife Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) once tried to kill him.

Antonio wastes no time in trying to get acquainted with Vicky and Cristina; the three accidentally see each other again at a restaurant and he casually invites the two women to participate in a menage a trois (a three-way, for those who don't know French) with him. Vicky is shocked and embarrassed, but Cristina is eager. Before long, both women are at his house, and Cristina is in his room. But all does not go as planned - in the midst of their lovemaking, Cristina's ulcer acts up and she is temporarily incapacitated.

With Cristina unable to respond, Antonio is soon paying more attention to Vicky, who at first strongly disapproves, but soon finds herself in bed with him. An unexpected phone call from Vicky's fiance saying that he is in the mood for a quickie marriage dampens the relationship. Things only escalate from there, especially when Antonio's wife re-enters the picture.

There are few films by Allen in which the actors have been so perfectly cast. Javier Bardem again proves himself to be one of the world's greatest living actors by making Jose Antonio a sympathetic and likeable character in spite of the immense gall he shows in handling his relationships. He dominates the film effortlessly, and if he is offered more roles as good as this one, he will be well on his way to establishing himself as a major international star. An Oscar nomination for this film is a distinct possibility. Penelope Cruz has found another director who has given her a role that she can really sink her teeth into; there is not one moment in the film when we see her as the vapid sex object that she has played in so many of her films, and it may earn her an Oscar nomination as well. Scarlett Johannson and Rebecca Hall are more than equal to these two as best friends whose relationship is severely tested when both fall for the same man.

For once, Woody Allen has resisted completely the temptation to make his characters alter egos of himself; they are fully-dimensional human beings, and not one of them behaves like the whiny nerd that Allen usually plays; in fact, he has even gone a step further. Sensing that his own rather irritating voice would be completely inappropriate to serve as narrator of this European-set story, he has selected the rich voice of Christopher Evan Welch to provide the narration.

"Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is nearly two hours' worth of excellent entertainment, and will not leave the sour taste in the mouth that other Woody Allen films had. And if the sound of Spanish guitars playing beautiful music and a miniature tour of Spain is not enough to further induce viewers to see this film, then I don't know what is.