Title: Blue Jasmine
Year: 2013
Director: Woody Allen
Country: US
Language: English
At the astonishing age of 77 legendary American Director
Woody Allen still manages to write and direct at least one feature film every
year. Unfortunately some, like last year’s To
Rome With Love, are misses. However, occasionally he does manage to produce
a hit with audiences and critics alike, a prime example being 2011’s Midnight in Paris. His latest film, Blue Jasmine, appears to be given strong
praise by the public, in-fact many consider it to be Grandpa Allen’s newest
masterpiece.
Starring Cate Blanchette (Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), senior Allen’s latest picture
is essentially a modern adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. The film starts with a life crisis, which
causes a mean spirited socialite named Jasmine to head to San Francisco. There
she reconnects with her sister Ginger (Sally Hawkins), bringing old troubles
along with her.
Do you remember Bette Davis’ immortal line in the classic All About Eve? “Fasten your seatbelts,
it’s going to be a bumpy night” If the great actress had lived to see the
premiere of Blue jasmine, she would
have likely said the same about this film. The main character Jasmine, played
by the extremely talented Cate Blanchette, is rotten to the core. She’s more
neurotic than any character Allen has played and is full of sociopathic
tendencies. Her psychological meltdown is epic and incredibly disturbing;
though we may have met people who are similar, none match the woman’s intensity
Blue Jasmine is a
metaphor for the current American consumer culture. Woody intends to expose our
own lack of self-responsibility and integrity within the character of Jasmine.
The director is holding a mirror up to our faces and shouting “this is what is
wrong with us!” Like Jasmine we try our
best effort to look away from our misdeeds, like the financial meltdown of
2008, but the past, if not dealt with properly, will always come crawling back.
In conclusion, Blue
Jasmine has an all-around impressive cast. Even Andrew Dice Clay, who is
usually known as being an offensive assface, has the power to make you weep
like a baby with his serious acting abilities. The dialogue is fresh and
sometimes witty, perfectly blending comedy with tragedy. This film is definitely
an Oscar contender, if it isn’t nominated for Best Picture I will be absolutely
shocked. Praise it! 4/5
