MOVIE REVIEW: BLUE JASMINE (2013)
Woody Allen has had a long and eclectic career in Hollywood. Few directors are as reliable or consistent, and “Blue Jasmine” is another great addition to the legendary director’s repertoire. Not only does it touch on a lot of timely themes, but it boasts a riveting central performance by Cate Blanchett, one that is almost guaranteed to earn her an Academy Award.
When Jasmine’s (Cate Blanchett) marriage to wealthy businessman Hal (Alec Baldwin) ends in turmoil, the shallow housewife is forced to move in with her sister (Sally Hawkins) in her San Francisco apartment to start her life anew. It’s a lot easier said than done, though, given that Jasmine has grown accustomed to living the high-life and fraternizing with New York’s social elite. The thought of living like everyone else is a very difficult pill to swallow for Jasmine, and boy does she struggle. As the story unfolds, we learn more and more about what really happened between Jasmine and her husband, and why they ended up broke and divorced in the first place.
I had heard a lot about Blanchett’s performance prior to watching the film, but even that didn’t fully prepare me for how truly incredible she is. Her character would normally be extremely unlikable, yet you can’t help but feel for her. You watch as her dreams are whisked away and as she’s forced to “demean” herself with jobs she thinks are beneath her. She literally goes from hosting New York’s wealthiest to working at a dentist’s office, and let me tell you, she does not adjust well. She has severe anxiety and is seldom seen without a bottle of Xanax in hand, and Blachett sells it through and through. She’s absolutely magnetic, and manages to adds layers to an already complex character. As far as I’m concerned, the Oscar for best actress in a leading role is hers to lose.
Alec Baldwin is the perfect choice to play her cocky, rich husband, and he’s great in every scene he’s in. Sally Hawkins is also fantastic as Jasmine’s sister, Ginger, and I love the contrast between the two. While Jasmine has always had an eye for the rich, cultured type, Ginger is more of a grease monkey kind of gal, and Jasmine is sure to let her know how she feels about it any chance she gets. I have a hunch that Woody Allen was watching a lot of “Boardwalk Empire” as he was casting his movie, with Bobby Cannavale, Max Casella, and Michael Stuhlbarg all making great appearances. Louis C. K. and Peter Sarsgaard are also in the film as potential love interests, and they shine whenever they’re on screen.
The film has a lot to say about class, corporate America, greed, and failing to put the past behind you. It also deals with depression, not knowing where you belong, and also alludes to suicide, at least in my opinion. But Allen’s knack for writing great dialogue keeps the film approachable and relatively light, even though our characters are dealing with some pretty grim stuff.
The Verdict:
“Blue Jasmine” is what you get when a director who is at the top of his game collaborates with an actress at the top of hers. It’s worth watching for Blanchett’s performance alone.
Numerical Score: 9/10
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