Lovers of travel and art will get a kick out of Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Woody Allen’s latest which once again has the admired filmmaker stray away from his beloved New York City, to warm yet predictably cynical results.

Via an accelerated piece of narration (provided by Christopher Evan Welsch), the viewer is introduced to Vicky (Rebecca Hall), a straight laced and responsible student completing her masters degree; and her best friend Christina (Scarlett Johansson), a drifting artist who follows where the moment takes her.

While on holiday in the Spanish capital of Barcelona, both women will have their vastly different approach to love tested by the sexually charged and amazingly smug local artist, Juan Antonio, played by Javier Bardem with such a direct authority, that it made this viewer wonder whether Bardem is playing a character, or a variation of himself.    

Juan Antonio offers the women a proposition to join him on the small island of Oviedo, where they will drink wine, eat good food, and make love together. The plane leaves in an hour.

Vicky, being the conservative that she is, flat out refuses Juan Antonio’s offer. But Christina is all for it, and convinces Vicky to tag along.

From here on, the films Spanish location takes over, oozing an exotic texture from the screen, thanks to Javier Aguirresarobe’s plush photography and an infectious soundtrack.

Basking in the films glow is its cast, who deliver fine performances, especially Penelope Cruz, who is brilliant, spunky, and sexy as Juan Antonio’s fiery ex-wife, Maria.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona is Allen’s an ode to unrestrictive love, and a commentary on sex and how it speaks to different people. Yet its charm and beauty is undercut by a stinging cynicism. This is not a surprise, considering Allen’s penchant for cynicism is as noted as is his flair for witty dialogue, which this film has in droves.

So, just like Juan Antonio himself, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a film that has an infectious charm, yet can come off as smug and hollow.