The house lights dim and the jazz music starts under the opening credits: stark, white text over a black background. Without hesitation, the film’s main title appears along with the cast of characters listed in alphabetical order followed by the crew credits. Finally, as that ends those words that I adore appear—“Written and Directed by Woody Allen.” Fade to black. Fade in: Scene 1.

Allen has begun each and every one of his films that way for nearly 40 years. Now it’s 39 films later to be exact and it feels like home every time. Those opening credits feel the same way you do when you sit down to a favorite meal. That moment when the plate is set before you, eagerly grab your utensils, and give your plate one last wide-eyed look before it's all gone. That opening scene to a Woody film is like the first bite of a well-prepared dinner. Open mouth, insert food, chew slowly, swallow.

For this feast, we head to Spain for Allen’s latest work titled, Vicky Christina Barcelona. It is rich and delicious and worth every succulent bite. Upon arriving in Barcelona we meet Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Christina (Scarlett Johansson) en route for two summer months in Spain with a friend of Vicky's family (Patricia Clarkson). Vicky has just completed college where she studied Catalan culture and Spanish architecture and plans to spend her summer seeing all the amazing work done by Gaudi. At the end of her vacation she plans to head back to New York and marry her fiancé, executive (Chris Messina). He’s everything she thinks she wants in a man. Her life is planned out and perfect. Christina, on the other hand, is just along for the ride. Recently heartbroken and searching for her place in the world, she is in Spain for the life experience and is up for everything and anything.

While out for dinner their first night, the two girls are approached by Jose Antonio (Javier Bardem), an artist, who invites Vicky and Christina to travel with him to Oviedo to see great works of art and have sex. Vicky, of course, is appalled while Christina couldn't be more intrigued by the proposition. Needless to say, Christina somehow convinces Vicky to go and the adventure begins. While in Oviedo, Jose Antonio seduces these beautiful American girls with architecture, art, Spanish guitar, food, and wine. If you are going to see Spain, this is the way to do it. While Christina is putty in Jose Antonio's hands, Vicky refuses to let her guard down until Christina becomes ill one night. Having had too much food and wine, she leaves Vicky alone with Jose Antonio.

Upon returning to Barcelona, Christina begins a love affair with Jose Antonio and moves in with him for the summer. Everything is great until Jose Antonio's ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz), a half-crazed passionate artist herself, reappears in his life. With nowhere else to go, she moves in with Jose Antonio and Christina and this happy twosome becomes a “Three's Company.” At the same time, Vicky's impatient fiance comes to Spain to marry her there and start the honeymoon. But Spain has changed Vicky. She is not the woman she was when she left the States.

Vicky Christina Barcelona is one of Woody Allen's greatest films, definitely his best since Match Point. He excels with his artistry in this film. Between his steady direction and smart, witty (Woody) script, he could have only made a film like this now at 70. Much as been made in the hype building up to the release of this film of the onscreen kiss between Penelope and Scarlett, and their relationship with Bardem. But Woody never for a minute exploits the titillation of the girl-on-girl kiss or the menage-a-trois that ensues. There is far too much depth and sexuality already in place to turn this into something like that. Woody's use of narration in the film works wonderfully much like it did in the film, Little Children. It keeps us in the story and gives it a feel of a fable. It all works beautifully. The performances are all terrific. Scarlett continues to do her best work under Woody's direction; Bardem is great as always; and Cruz gives her best performance ever in an American film. This is definitely her best work since Volver.

To top everything off, in addition to the fine acting, and the writing and directing, there is Spain and all its beauty displayed so vividly on screen. The country is breathtaking and intoxicating. Vicky Christina Barcelona is like an amazing Spanish meal with a bottle of Rioja on the side and the sound of Spanish guitar in the distance.

- David Malsch