Vicky (Hall); conservative, engaged and completing a Masters in Catalan studies; and Cristina (Johansson); confused, single and 'resting' after having just made a bad twelve-minute film about love and life; go to Barcelona for the summer.

There they meet a Spaniard, Juan Antonio Gonzalo (Bardem); a darkly handsome, smouldering, stubbled, bedroom-eyed artist; who propositions them both. They find his approach original and irresistible but he cannot live without his muse, volatile ex-wife Maria Elena (Cruz).

Can Woody Allen make a ninety minute movie about love and life without it turning into something a little too self-indulgent, where every line sounds as if it's coming straight out of his mouth (including inflection and narration)?

Well, it's better than his recent work, but it's still somewhat formulaic. So maybe it's one for the aficionados ((ndash)) but Bardem, Cruz, Barcelona and Spain do make fabulous eye candy. Prediction: more people will visit Spain because of this movie than will visit Australia because of Australia.

This is a beautiful romantic comedy centred on the lives of Lebanese women living in Beirut. It's simple and lovely and I highly enjoyed the journeys of the women. Six women ((ndash)) four working at a beauty salon ((ndash)) are all dealing with an issue in their lives, experiencing changes or fears.

Layal (Labaki) is in a relationship with a man she can't really have, another has a crush on a client, another is getting married and planning her life after the wedding. Ageing, love, marriage and attraction are key themes throughout the movie.

The movie has been well reviewed, is easy to watch and very enjoyable. I recommend the film to anyone looking for an enjoyable but deep film. A lovely story about the friendship between women and the journeys they experience throughout life. Some reviewers have said it's just "sweet", which I guess is a take on the title of the film, but it really is a sweet film. Treat yourself!