by Joseph Rossi
Blue Jasmine is Woody Allen’s latest film and as always he shows no sign of letting his talent squander in VOD hell. He’s made some bad choices in recent years but he keeps on going, like a nebbish and neurotic Energizer Bunny. This outing, starring Cate Blanchett, is up there along the ranks of some of his best.
After her wealthy, crooked husband (Alec Baldwin) commits suicide after being sent to prison, Jasmine (Blanchett) leaves her New York life behind and settles in San Francisco, bunking in her sisters lower class apartment. Off the bat Jasmine is rude and judgmental, dismissing her sisters simple way of life and her even more simplistic taste in men. To say for sure, Jasmine isn’t the usual Woody Allen female lead. She’s far darker, rougher around the edges. Coming from wealth and having to slum it for once in her life doesn’t do her any favors. Allen draws from Blanchett a character of extreme stupidity and ignorance; one that can do more harm with a snake like tongue then venom.
This is not the Annie Hall or Bullet’s Over Broadway Woody Allen. More then anything he has done, this is a character study that examines a woman on the verge of a mental collapse; a woman whose identity as the rich socialite is turned on its head. As dark as the theme is, it is a funny movie. We catch ourselves laughing at some truly off-color and socially vicious commentary.
As always, the cast is fantastic. Blanchett and Baldwin are excellent. Sally Hawkins puts her British accent aside and adopts a flawless Yankee one. Andrew Dice Clay, Louis C.K. and Bobby Cannavale all show up and impress.
After last years flaccid To Rome with Love, this is a much-needed boost of energy. This has awards written all over it and for good reason. After this and The Butler, we adults finally can enjoy going to the movies again.
