I've decided to start a new "series" of posts that will basically, give impressions made by films and performances at various film festivals leading up to the start of awards season in late September. While it might seem like it's too early to start something like this, consider that No Country for Old Men and the Diving Bell and the Butterfly were screened at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, and Julian Schnabel even won the best director award. Meanwhile, No Country got slightly mixed reception, but went on to become the best reviewed film of 2007. Perceptions often change drastically in the time between Cannes and the Oscars, so I thought it would be interesting to track those changes. To start things off......
Penelope Cruz is a contender for Best Supporting Actress:
The Evidence:
"Cruz, who officially graduated from sex kitten to powerhouse melodramatic actress in "Volver," is in full Anna Magnani mode here, storming up and down mountain peaks of emotion and captivating everyone in the process. Allen even generates affectionate comic mileage from the common rap on Cruz's acting--that she's great in Spanish but blah in English--by having her deliver Maria Elena's colorful tirades in her native language, only to be told again and again by Juan Antonio to speak English so Cristina can understand her. She's dynamite here in either language."
- Variety
"Cruz turns in a performance that's better, even, than her Oscar-nominated turn in Volver; her Maria Elena is on-the-edge crazy, but is also very funny and engaging."
- Cinematical
"We've saved the most vibrant character for last: Maria Elena, which Penelope Cruz turns into one of her boldest, fullest characters. A painter so sexy that Juan Antonio's father still has erotic dreams of her, Maria Elena had been Juan Antonio's muse, competitor and wife; their turbulent marriage ended when she tried to kill him"
"Whenever Bardem or Cruz are on screen, VCB finds its heart"
- Time
"the movie is nearly stolen by Penélope Cruz—and not because she and Johansson make out while developing photos together"
- Timeout
"Penelope Cruz, who give the film's outstanding performance and should be considered seriously for the Supporting Actress Oscar (and other kudos) at year's end"
- Emanuel Levy
"The only parts of Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Weinstein Co., 8.29) that feel truly alive and crackling are the Spanish-language scenes between Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz."
"Cruz, especially, is electricity itself. When she loses her temper, it's sheer bliss"
- jeff wells
"Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem steal the movie from the two callow American girls"
- anne thompson
"Bardem and Cruz create the comic fireworks, both looking like they are having fun as the nutty exes driven by fiery passion"
- screendaily
"punctuated by applause for Penelope Cruz’s wildly funny out there performance as a perhaps crazed, maybe genius, highly temperamental and foul-mouthed artist whose marriage and love for Javier Bardem propels much of the romantic confusion– even though Cruz doesn’t make an appearance until at least 30 minutes into the 96 minute comedy"
"I actually could see this movie again just to laugh and cheer all over again at the wonder that is Penelope Cruz"
- stephen schaefer
"The two most hilarious characters, played by Spain's two most famous actors, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, are nothing if not cliches about tempestuous Latin lovers"
"the film belongs to Bardem and Cruz"
- Hollywood Reporter
The Evidence:
"Cruz, who officially graduated from sex kitten to powerhouse melodramatic actress in "Volver," is in full Anna Magnani mode here, storming up and down mountain peaks of emotion and captivating everyone in the process. Allen even generates affectionate comic mileage from the common rap on Cruz's acting--that she's great in Spanish but blah in English--by having her deliver Maria Elena's colorful tirades in her native language, only to be told again and again by Juan Antonio to speak English so Cristina can understand her. She's dynamite here in either language."
- Variety
"Cruz turns in a performance that's better, even, than her Oscar-nominated turn in Volver; her Maria Elena is on-the-edge crazy, but is also very funny and engaging."
- Cinematical
"We've saved the most vibrant character for last: Maria Elena, which Penelope Cruz turns into one of her boldest, fullest characters. A painter so sexy that Juan Antonio's father still has erotic dreams of her, Maria Elena had been Juan Antonio's muse, competitor and wife; their turbulent marriage ended when she tried to kill him"
"Whenever Bardem or Cruz are on screen, VCB finds its heart"
- Time
"the movie is nearly stolen by Penélope Cruz—and not because she and Johansson make out while developing photos together"
- Timeout
"Penelope Cruz, who give the film's outstanding performance and should be considered seriously for the Supporting Actress Oscar (and other kudos) at year's end"
- Emanuel Levy
"The only parts of Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Weinstein Co., 8.29) that feel truly alive and crackling are the Spanish-language scenes between Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz."
"Cruz, especially, is electricity itself. When she loses her temper, it's sheer bliss"
- jeff wells
"Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem steal the movie from the two callow American girls"
- anne thompson
"Bardem and Cruz create the comic fireworks, both looking like they are having fun as the nutty exes driven by fiery passion"
- screendaily
"punctuated by applause for Penelope Cruz’s wildly funny out there performance as a perhaps crazed, maybe genius, highly temperamental and foul-mouthed artist whose marriage and love for Javier Bardem propels much of the romantic confusion– even though Cruz doesn’t make an appearance until at least 30 minutes into the 96 minute comedy"
"I actually could see this movie again just to laugh and cheer all over again at the wonder that is Penelope Cruz"
- stephen schaefer
"The two most hilarious characters, played by Spain's two most famous actors, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, are nothing if not cliches about tempestuous Latin lovers"
"the film belongs to Bardem and Cruz"
- Hollywood Reporter
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