VickySo, uh, tell me why, why won't your father publish his poems?
Juan AntonioWell, because, ungh, he hates the world and that's his way of getting back at them, to create beautiful works and then to deny them to the public, which I think it's...
CristinaVicky's just trying to say that she's engaged to be married, that's all.
Juan AntonioGreat. Then these are her last days of freedom.
VickyNo. Look, I'm not free. I'm committed. You know what my theory is? And when I drink, I get brutally frank. I think that you're still hurting from the failure of your marriage to Maria Elena, and you're trying to lose yourself in empty sex.
Juan AntonioEmpty sex? Do you have such a low opinion of yourself?
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[first lines]
NarratorVicky and Cristina decided to spend the summer in Barcelona. Vicky was completing her master's in Catalan Identity, which she had become interested in through her great affection for the architecture of Gaudí. Cristina, who spent the last six months writing, directing, and acting in a 12-minute film which she then hated, had just broken up with yet another boyfriend and longed for a change of scenery. Everything fell into place when a distant relative of Vicky's family who lived in Barcelona offered to put both girls up for July and August. The two best friends had been close since college and shared the same tastes and opinions on most matters, yet when it came to the subject of love, it would be hard to find two more dissimilar viewpoints. Vicky had no tolerance for pain and no lust for combat. She was grounded and realistic. Her requirements in a man were seriousness and stability. She had become engaged to Doug because he was decent and successful and understood the beauty of commitment.
Vicky[while talking on her cellphone to Doug]Yeah, I miss you, too.
NarratorCristina, on the other hand, expected something very different out of love. She had reluctantly accepted suffering as an inevitable component of deep passion, and was resigned to putting her feelings at risk. If you asked her what it was she was gambling her emotions on to win, she would not have been able to say. She knew what she didn't want, however, and that was exactly what Vicky valued above all else.
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Maria ElenaYou're still searching for me in every woman.
Juan AntonioThat is not true, Maria Elena. I was in Oviedo some weeks ago with a woman who was the antithesis of you. An American, and something beautiful happened with her. So you're mistaken.
Maria ElenaYou'll always seek to duplicate what we had. You know it.
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[last lines]
NarratorVicky returned home to have her grand wedding to Doug. To the house they finally planned to settle in. And to lead the life she envisioned for herself, before that summer in Barcelona. Cristina continued searching... certain only, of what she didn't want.
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Cristina[Looking at a sculpture of Jesus]Are you very religious?
Juan AntonioNo, no, no, no, I'm not. The trick is to enjoy life, accepting it has no meaning whatsoever.
CristinaNo meaning? You don't think that authentic love gives life meaning?
Juan AntonioYes, but love is so transient. Isn't it? I was in love with a most incredible woman... and then in the end...
CristinaIf you don't start undressing me soon this is going to turn into a panel discussion.
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Juan AntonioWe were both sure that... our relation was perfect, but there was something missing. You know? Like, love requires such a perfect balance. It's... like the human body. It may turn that you have all the vitamins and minerals, but if... there is minus a single, tiny ingredient... missing, like, like, like, like, ooh, like salt, for example... one dies.
VickyOh... God, I don't know, uh, maybe teaching, maybe curating.
JudyWell... you don't have to do something, you know. But she's marrying this wonderful man in the fall and all of her conflicts will be resolved when he makes her pregnant.
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NarratorThe two couples met for lunch, and during the course of conversation, an awkward moment occurred. Juan Antonio, having warm thoughts about Cristina, tried to brush his foot against hers under the table, and accidentally brushed Vicky's.
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VickyOh, God, look, I wouldn't call our reluctance to leap at your sexual offer being over-analytical. If you would care to join us for some recognized form of social interaction, like a drink, then we'd be fine, but otherwise, I think you should try, you know, offering to some other table.
Juan AntonioMm-hm. What offended you about the offer? Surely not that I find you both beautiful and desirable.
VickyOffended me, no. It's very amusing, galling, to be honest,
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Maria ElenaI don't like her for you! I don't trust her! And you know I always have your best interests.
Juan AntonioWell, not when you're trying to kill me.
VickyInteresting? Are you kidding? What's so interesting? He wants to get us both into bed. You know, but, he'll settle for either and, in this case, you.
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CristinaVicky, I'm a big girl, okay. If I want to sleep with him, I will. If not, I won't.
VickyChristina, he's a total stranger. This is impulsive, even for you. And, if I heard right, he was violent with his wife!
CristinaWell, at least he's not one of those factory-made zombies.
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JulioWhat do you hear of Maria Elena?
Juan AntonioEh, Maria Elena. Maria Elena's still living with the architect in Madrid.
JulioThat woman was the best. I still have erotic dreams about her, at my age.
Maria ElenaYou're still searching for me in every woman.
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Maria ElenaYou'll always seek to duplicate what we had. You know it.
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CristinaIt's so apparent to me that you and Juan Antonio are still in love - when I see you together.
Maria ElenaOur love, our love will last forever. It's forever. But, it just doesn't work. That's why it will always be romantic. Because, it cannot be be complete.
CristinaIt can't be complete because, you know, I'm getting in the way or, I don't know, I feel like...
Maria ElenaBefore you - before you we used to cause each other so much pain, so much suffering. Without you, all this would not be possible. You know why? Because you are the missing ingredient. You are like the tint, that added to the palate, makes the color beautiful.
CristinaI don't know. It could be anything from some inane comment to wearing the wrong kind of shorts. Although, some how, by looking at you, I think you're wearing the right kind of shorts.
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Juan AntonioWhat do you want in life besides a man with the right shorts?
CristinaI don't know. I know I'm not going to settle till I find what I'm looking for.
Juan AntonioI - yeah - I debated it. But, I didn't think there was much point.
VickyYeah, but, you never phoned. Not to say - anything. I mean, "thank you, it was fun." You don't make love to someone and then never call them unless you were greatly disappointed.
Juan AntonioQuite the opposite. But, you have plans to marry and I thought it best to stop anything before it lead to a bad situation for everyone.
VickyYeah, well, I'm only saying that we made love and you seemed to drop off the face of the earth. I mean, I realize these things don't mean much to you.
Juan AntonioTo pursue matters would have only caused you anxiety and for me a disappointment.
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DougI still don't understand what your language teacher was doing with a gun?
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Juan AntonioWhen I saw you across the room at the art gallery, I noticed you have - beautiful lips. Very full, very sexual.
Maria ElenaOf course I went through your luggage. The first night I was in the house, I didn't trust you. I didn't believe you were who you said you were. I wanted to know who was really sharing the bed of my ex-husband.