The story takes place in beautiful Barcelona, where American girls Vicky (played by Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (played by Scarlett Johansson) meet the not-so-famous artist Juan (played by Javier Bardem) while on vacation. The two sisters, with very different personalities, respond to Juan's invitation to spend a weekend in Oviedo after they meet him for the second time; the passionate Cristina readily agrees, while the soon-to-be-married Vicky feels deeply anxious. Unexpected events unfold in Oviedo, as Cristina falls ill and must rest in bed instead of spending the night with Juan as planned, while the rational and realistic Vicky ends up having a one-night affair with him. After the three return to Barcelona, Vicky's fiancé Doug comes to accompany her, and her life seems to return to normal. However, as Cristina embarks on a passionate and cohabiting relationship with Juan, Juan's ex-wife María (played by Penélope Cruz) suddenly appears, creating a peculiar dynamic among the three. Thus, in the romantic atmosphere of a summer European city, a humorous yet profound story about love begins to unfold. At the 81st Academy Awards in 2009, Penélope Cruz won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for this film.
