To my mind, a connection to Woody Allen is not an
asset. But this movie is a charmer.
Near the very beginning of this film, J. Bardem (
Juan Antonio) propositions BOTH Rececca Hall (
Vicky) AND Scarlett Johansson's
Cristina. "Come fly with me to Oviedo for the week-end." In the course of the conversation, he is quite frank in declaring that life is basically meaningless, so why shouldn't we enjoy ourselves?
We've heard this a million times, and a great many are convinced he's correct. Uncle Billy Shakespeare: “
Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” (Macbeth.)
Nevertheless, people look for satisfaction, even if there is no MEANING to anything. Academic, artistic, social pursuits. Travel. People's lives do not merely cross, but have an impact upon each other. Sometimes, relationships become toxic, symbiotic. Life is what it is, and it can be thrilling and new and different. Sometimes, we seek out "the old reliable," often in spite of ourselves. I am reminded of an old Star Trek episode. Jim Kirk and the other regulars find themselves on a planet where the men are terrified of "the bringers of pain, and delight." I don't have to tell you the gender of the ones who brought pain and delight. Yet the dance continues, forever.
People do their best, but change--- somehow--- is difficult, whether you're stuck in Neutral, or whether you're revved up every day with frantic activity. Change, at any given moment, could be the savior, what we need the most. Yet we resist it. In Tchaikovsky's opera, "Eugene Onegin," some old matronly women are busy at routine housework in the opening scene, singing: "Heaven gives us habit in place of happiness." Yes.
But we can make simply getting from A to B enjoyable, a creative, challenging experience. All of us have seen the roaring lion logo for the MGM Studio at the beginning of a movie. The three words inscribed around the lion's head are in Latin: "Ars Gratia Artis." In English: "Art for the sake of Art." And why not? And for the rest of our lives, we will also have the cherished memory of that week-end in Oviedo.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497465/?ref_=nv_sr_2 
