Woody talking threesomes at Cannes

"In trying to figure out solutions in life, two actually tends to make it more complicated than one. The characters in this movie are able, the chemistry was right, and they're able to handle the situation," Allen said. "But in real life, most of us petty people could never handle anything like that. It's hard enough to get a relationship that can work out with one person, but with two, it becomes geometrically more fatal."

Due in U.S. theaters Aug. 29, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" stars Johansson, who has appeared in three of Allen's last four films, and Rebecca Hall as American friends spending a summer in Spain.

Both women have separate relationships with a passionate painter (Bardem), whose volatile ex-wife (Cruz) later forges a three-way romance with him and Johansson's character.

It was the fourth film in a row shot in Europe by Allen, whose beloved Manhattan has been the backdrop for most of his movies. Allen is nearly finished shooting his next film, which has him back in New York for a comedy starring Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood and Patricia Clarkson, who also appears in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

"It's about a group of also highly neurotic characters that interact in ways that I'm hoping you'll think is funny," Allen said. "When it's over you may or may not. If you don't then I will have failed, but I'm giving it my best shot."