Rating of
3.5/4
Bllue Blanchett.
Jacob Zembower - wrote on 08/20/13
Woody Allen has really started to find his stride again, and Blue Jasmine is no exception. It's his most emotionally affective film in a long time. However, Cate Blanchette owns this film. She is so exquisite she overshadows the film itself, which is not a bad thing, as her brilliant performance as Jasmine. A once super wealthy wife to a swindling, cheating, fraud of a man (played well by Alec Baldwin) is left to her own devices when he is arrested she she is left broke and forced to move in with her sister in San Fransisco. Unfortunately, her devices include popping xanax like candy and chasing them with endless booze. She's an unsavory character, pompous, high and mighty, judgmental, bitingly honest, gloat. But in the hands of Cate Blanchett's pitch-perfect performance, she makes Jasmine an understanding and tragic character. This is next-level acting, she's ever natural disaster rolled up into one person, and if she doesn't get the award for best Actress I'll be shocked. On the other end, Sally Hawkins as Jasmine's sister (both adopted) is everything that Jasmine isn't. Down to earth, slightly neurotic, but still humanistic and vulnerable. Hawkins owns the role and more than up to Blanchett's performance. The most surprising performance comes from Andrew Dice Clay of all people, creating a sympathetic, honest, understanding, but heartbreaking character. Blue Jasmine is not without its flaws (I imagine many hating the ending) but I found it to be Allen's best film in years. It's a harrowing, depressing, bitingly funny, and exceptionally acted work, and some of the most original and great films that Woody Alllen has done in a long while. Don't miss it. If only for Cate, in her instant classic performance, up there with Meryl Streep in Sophie's Choice and Jessica Lang in Frances. Great film. Keep up the good work woody. And Cate, start writing your acceptance speech now.
