A Walking Contradiction

So... there's this movie that I've been wanting to talk about for so long (in which I found some interesting things). Vicky Cristina Barcelona.



so you guys probably knew or even watched it.

Why I wanna talk about this particular movie? Not because it's one of my favourite or anything. It doesn't even make my top twenty. Not that it's not any good. It's enchanting, I guess. I can't really tell, actually. I'd never watched any Woody Allen movie before this one so it's not like I can compare it with his other movies. I used to hear a lot about Woody Allen (but barely noticing), his movies about woman, and that he draws heavily on philosophy, literature, sexuality, and stuff. VCB is my first.

At first I thought, okay another big cliche, you went through a vacation that changed your life. I wasn't excited, but watched it anyways. A few scenes went, and okay, the setting is marvelous. Barcelona is breathtaking. The shots showed a lot of impressive parts of Spain, like the Gaudi's architecture, of course. And hearing the Spanish guitar (the soundtrack) made me feel like I was there having an enchanting holiday, breathing the fresh air of Barcelona. I was so in love already with the setting I barely noticed the storyline. Well, it pretty much tells a story about two different girls. Vicky, the practical one with her traditional in her approach to love and commitment (and is engaged to a reliable but unromantic guy). And Cristina, the spontaneous and adventurous one who doesn't know what she wants of life or love, only what she doesn't want (which, of course, what Vicky dreams about). And both their lives were rocked when this grumpy (but they think he's brooding and sexy) artist who's been trough a messy divorce with his wife whom he loves to distraction but never seems to get along with.

vicky's hold on reality starts to shake. she keeps wondering if what she tought she wants (marriage, a guy who appreciate the beauty of commitment, a crystal clear future), is not what her heart actually desire (an unpredictable love). And Cristina who finally moves in with juan antonio and his ex wife (and had sex with both of them, out of love;yeah pretty weird), thinks she's happy, but in the end, find out that that life also what she doesn't want and decided to leave. In the end, after all they've been through, they both come home to America, back to their former selves. No dramatic change direction, no nothing. Just one hell of a summer that will be forgotten (or not).

yeah, overall, it's pretty twisted. Satirical even. the humor is that, satirical, not everyone can get it instantly (like there's this scene where Juan Antonio said that his dad, who's a brilliant poet doesn't publish his work because he hates people in general, and punish them by not publishing his work).

And the part about the polyamorous relationship between Cristina, Juan Antonio, and maria Elena. Both Juan Antonio and maria Elena love each other so much, but it never work, and they claim that their relationship somehow missing a special ingredient to make it work, which is Cristina. Their relationship, from what I see, is not at all disturbing for me (towards the end). It just made sense, somehow. That there is love, so intense and whole, which can't get along (between Juan Antonio and Maria Elena). The hunger just to love and beloved in return (the way the three of them love each other). You know, just to love. It's enough (not for cristina, in the end).

And the marriage between Judy and Mark, her infidelity. I totally understand that. that after a while, love is not enough to keep you going, and all of s sudden you realise that you're in a rut. Trapped in a flat (without so much as passion) marriage. Of course it will come to that. Right? People get bored and sick of each other. Huh.

I guess the part where it reminded me of myself is the main characters traits, both Cristina and Vicky. I think I see myself as both of them. Seeing the movie is like some ah-ah ephypany that I've been waiting.

Once, back in the days when I still wore jeans and tee and love physic, Giov told me that I'm a walking contradiction. Of course my english not as good as it is now, I never fully understand what he meant back then. But I think I do now.

I can see myself just as practical as Vicky. I want that life. I want a man who can appreciate the beauty of commitment (doesn't everyone?). I have a future planned in mind. I'm sensible. No-nonsense.

But I think I can be Cristina too. I have the same spontaneous, adventurous side. But of course, I know what I want of life and love.

(not that I, unlike Galih and Beyonce, claim to have split personality. it's just who i am. sorta.)

(though of course, I'm a lil bit scared of what comes in the future. If I choose a life like Vicky, will I be like Judy? Trapped in a rut?

Otherwise, like Cristina, I'll never stop searching for something that's actually in front of my eyes, but just never seem to really look at it?)

Like the way I know life sucks, reality bites, no happily ever after, and all that bollocks; but still I never stop searching for the joy in life, still trying to enjoy the day like it's the last, that I keep on being happy despite what I've got to go trough.

The way I doubt true love and mariage, but nonetheless, still hoping.

That's just some part of me I guess.

there's a lot but I don't feel like talking more about myself, haha.
So there's that.

Overall, I enjoy that movie. For you, woman esp, try to watch it. maybe you'll get some ah-ah epiphany or some kind of revelation that you're waiting for. At least, there's something to take in.