Two American friends - Christina and Vicky, decide to spend the summer in Barcelona. Christina (played by Scarlett Johansson) is sexually adventurous and does not believe in standard relationships or convention. She is in Spain in the hope of finding herself. Vicky (played by Rebecca Hall) is engaged to be married to a nice reliable, conventional man. She is a graduate student in Catalan studies. The friends have the same tastes in everything. Except love.

They soon meet a very seductive celebrated Spanish painter Juan Antonio played by Javier Bardem. They learn some delicious details of his fiery and violent divorce from a fellow artist, the tempestuous Maria Elena (played wonderfully by Penelope Cruz). Juan wastes no time in inviting them to go away with him for the weekend, to relax, show them the sights... and make love. Christina is captivated, but Vicky is not about to jepardise her relationship and finds Juan to be a little full of himself.

Against Vicky's better judgement, they accept. Christina soon becomes ill from an ulcer exasperated from drinking too much, and reluctantly, Vicky spends time alone with Juan sightseeing. He is very attentive, Vicky falls for him and they make love. She does not disclose this to her friend Christina.

As summer progresses, Vicky is questioning her beliefs about who she is and what she wants. Christina on the other hand feels that she may have found herself. Vicky's fiance arrives and they spend the summer with their parent's friends. Christina moves in with Juan, and all is going perfectly until the unstable Maria Elena comes back into his life after trying to end hers. She has no one who can look after her, and must live in the spare room of his house for a few months while she recovers.

At first this is difficult for everyone, but surprisingly, the three form a special relationship that suits them all. But can it last?

A good drama/romance movie written by Woody Allen, UK release on 13th February 2009 . Better than I thought it would be. It is narrated throughout by Christopher Evan Welch, but I didn't find this annoying, it moved the movie along. The movie won plenty of awards including an Oscar for Penelope Cruz as best supporting actress, so definitely worth a rental.