http://collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/8878/tcid/1 has an article written by a man named Frosty who had the honor of being in a press interview with Allen about Vicky Cristina Barcelona. When Allen was confronted with the idea that people think this has been his sexiest movie yet, he downplayed it. “It just so happens that this story requires a certain amount of sensuality. There is a kissing scene, a scene between the two girls that is brief, and there isn’t really a lot of sex in the picture.” I must disagree with Allen. You can’t put sex and sexy in the same category when talking about sensuality. This movie did require a certain amount of sensuality, but I think the entire film was oozing with it. Most of the movie was leading up to sex, having sex, or the aftereffects of sex. Just because we didn’t see the act, the implication was there.
There are several ways you can portray a menage a trois. It could be perverted and dirty, or it could be very appealing and sensual. I think the cast made the difference, in how it came across in Vicky Christina Barcelona. Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz were a perfect match for the passionate, dysfunctional couple, Juan and Maria Elena. Their passion alone was sensual as well as animalistic. Scarlett Johansen, although quite sexy herself, was a perfect contrast for the crazed couple. Christina brought the sanity and normality that Juan and Maria Elena needed.
I think many would find a ménage á trois relationship faux pas, as it violates social acceptability. I find irony in the fact that 20 years ago, Allen entangled himself in a relationship considered tactless, perverted, and socially unacceptable as well. I remember thinking at the time he was a dirty old man. After reading that he and Soon-Yi Previn are still together after more than 20 years, I am questioning how judgmental I was before I began to research him. Quite possibly, they are meant to be together.
http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/now/woody-allen-mia-farrow-scandal-20-years-later-215205490.html is an update on the scandalous situation, as of last year. It’s dis heartening and sad to see that there is still tension in Allen’s family dynamic, due to his marriage.
In writing this blog, I have learned that I still have work to do on myself in my judgement of others. I realize that having thoughts on other’s actions is normal human behavior, but I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. One of my favorite quotes is by Maya Angelou, “People do what they know, when they know better they do better”.
