'Blue Jasmine' follows in the footsteps of Woody Allen's classic pictures of the 70's and 80's, what I consider his prime (though he has been making great films ever since, too). Modest in scope yet dripping with some of the most juicy characters of the year, 'Blue Jasmine' delivers as one of the strongest films of the year so far, and almost guarantees its spot amongst Allen's best.
Like any story, the film begins with a conflict, in this case, Jasmine (played by Cate Blanchett - more on her later) moves in with her sister in San Fransisco following a 'nervous breakdown.' She is of high society, a Birkin always in the crook of her arm, a closet to die for, dripping with pearls, and a diamond wedding ring that could choke an elephant. Her husband (the ever-sly Alec Baldwin) caters to her every will, spoils her to no end, indulging her every whim, all the while operating an illegal scheme that leads him to prison and Jasmine left broke.
Her new house, a quaint apartment with her adoptive sister, Ginger (the beautiful Sally Hawkins) and two noisy boys. Jasmine describes the setup as 'homey.' She seeks to rebuild her life. With mountains of debt (yet enough to still fly first-class, excusable due to force of habit), she decides to continue her education in Anthropology. Or perhaps interior design. Or computers…
Ginger, seeing a man Jasmine describes as a grease monkey, begins to fall in love with someone else, concurrent with Jasmine falling in love with a charming Ambassador-soon-to-be-political-figure, of course dripping with money.
Shall I continue to describe plot, or can I at last begin shoveling my praise on this film! Allen directs a stellar cast, with a tightly-written script that flows with the ease of an auteur. There is perhaps no other filmmaker alive who can write women like Allen, and with Jasmine, he has perhaps created one of his most memorable characters. There is something so powerful in the cadence of Allen's dialogue, written with such simplicity but bursting with extraordinary depth and humor.
Blanchett more than delivers with her best performance of her career, hands down. Midway through the film, I sent a text to Maureen informing her that we have found the year's Oscar winner. There is simply no other option here. Blanchett is funny, heartbreaking, manic, delusional, walking a fine line between Academy darling and 'Mommy Dearest.' As the credits blackened the screen over Jasmine's searching face, sitting on a park bench, I moaned, wishing I could raise the lights back up and continue to watch in amazement at such a revelatory performance. This is surely the role Blanchett was born to play - and in her, Woody has found a new muse - one of his absolute best.
Blanchett more than delivers with her best performance of her career, hands down. Midway through the film, I sent a text to Maureen informing her that we have found the year's Oscar winner. There is simply no other option here. Blanchett is funny, heartbreaking, manic, delusional, walking a fine line between Academy darling and 'Mommy Dearest.' As the credits blackened the screen over Jasmine's searching face, sitting on a park bench, I moaned, wishing I could raise the lights back up and continue to watch in amazement at such a revelatory performance. This is surely the role Blanchett was born to play - and in her, Woody has found a new muse - one of his absolute best.
This is not to outshine the rest of the cast, as Sally Hawkins is exceptionally good. She plays the 'plain' sister who is self-declared as having bad genes, a woman who aims low and seems cursed to date schmucks for the rest of her life.
Woody Allen, bravo. 'Blue Jasmine' is a film of colossal intent, slipping through the radar as just another one of Woody's stories. Mark my words, this is one of the best films of the year. I intend to return to the theater soon, eager for more.
(Awards potential: Best Director, Best Actress (Blanchett), Best Supporting Actress (Hawkins), Best Original Screenplay)
