Chronic Disastisfaction


My favorite scene in this film that has always stood out for me since the first time I saw it is when Cristina comes in the kitchen to break up with Juan Antonio and Maria Elena. That's the one scene in the film that you just can't write. Penelope and Javier showed their acting chops in that scene alone. I love that entire scene - the lines in English and in Spanish. Penelope cursing at her in Spanish is so sexy and beautiful. And she says it with such passion and fury. I've only seen this movie a few times, but I've seen the kitchen breakup scene dozens of times. It was probably such a great scene because the narrator was nowhere to be found- thank God!! Penelope and Javier just sold it in that scene. Seriously, those two should be in more films together. They wouldn't even need to say anything. Just have them step of out a hot shower wearing nothing but white towels and look at each other for two hours. They could say so much without saying a word!! LOLOL Hot damn!! I loved the scene where he makes the bed for Maria Elena her first night back and then in the kitchen during the break up scene. Oh the massage in the park was hot too. Lucky Penelope. (that bitch)


I specifically reminded her - bedside table! On the Kangaroo!

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Agreed, they were both really great in that scene. Unfortunately, I thought that Scarlett Johansson seemed goofy and lame in comparison. She kept gesticulating in a way that seemed inappropriate for the mood expressed by the other two.

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Agreed, they were both really great in that scene. Unfortunately, I thought that Scarlett Johansson seemed goofy and lame in comparison. She kept gesticulating in a way that seemed inappropriate for the mood expressed by the other two.


I think that's what made that scene even better. As brilliant and sincere Javier and Penelope were playing that scene, Cristina, who already mentally checked out, is on a totally different emotional plane and Johansson's line delivery really made that clear. Her lame and not-quite there responses and interrupting Maria Elena with "sorry, can you say that in English, I don't speak Spanish" really elevated the scene as it showed the contrast between the three characters. Johansson's line delivery also added a comedic element that played really well with the non-comedic delivery of Bardem and Cruz's lines. Because it brought out the absurdity of these characters, to me it worked on so many layers.

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Hmm. I had to go re-watch the scene because I posted that 3 years ago and didn't remember it anymore. Having watched it again on YouTube I would say that Scarlett Johansson doesn't seem that bad, but she definitely didn't do anything to elevate it for me. I guess I have become Johansson-neutral when it comes to that scene. Maybe in another 3 years I will be Johansson-positive but I'm just not there yet. ;-)

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They are in more movies together! Watch "Jamon Jamon" a bit weird but fun nonetheless.

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1:02: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0MG7pMpX9s

I feel like telling Juan Antonio to speak English when he's explaining stuff to her in Spanish, but I don't have the heart. He's so freakin' sexy. In all black, no less. Does any guy ever not look good in all black?! I agree that Scarlett sucked in this scene.

Life between Olympics:

Life during Olympics: USA! USA! USA!

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