Cate Blanchett shines in Woody Allen’s latest drama: “Blue Jasmine.” (Poster property of Sony Pictures Classics)
By: Jacob Elyachar
One of the objects that I had on my “Things to Do Before I Turned 30” bucket list was to see a Woody Allen film.
This legendary entertainer is one of the most endearing (and sometimes polarizing) figures in America cinema. For six decades, Mr. Allen created brilliant pieces of film that won four Academy Awards and nine BAFTA Awards.
Allen’s sixth film in the 2010s is Blue Jasmine. This drama focuses on the blight of Jasmine Francis (Cate Blanchett), as she is forced deal with her fall from grace as a New York socialite to a penniless divorcee who is forced to relocate to San Francisco. Unfortunately, the stresses of the events lead to become alcoholic, pill-popping and paranoid mess.
Cate Blanchett delivered one of the best performances of the year as the fallen socialite. She would entice audience members to keep their eyes on her throughout every scene. Some of her strongest moments included when she confronted her crooked ex (Alec Baldwin), explaining her fall to her nephews at a San Francisco pizza bar and scenes with an aspiring California politician (Peter Sarsgaard).
Blue Jasmine also features Allen at his finest as a screenwriter and director. Moviegoers would appreciate a healthy balance of dry humor, venomous digs and impressive dialogue. In addition, his impressive directorial skills were showcased through the actors as they perfectly delivered Mr. Allen’s witty screenplay throughout this one-hour and 38-minute film.
The only problem that I have with this film was at times it dragged. Moviegoers might have been interested in seeing less of annoying characters and more of how Jasmine got to the way she was (Jasmine mentioned electroshock therapy…why wasn’t in the film?). It could have led to more interesting scenes.
Final thoughts and grade: While the film was at times slow, Blue Jasmine shows both Woody Allen and Cate Blanchett at their best and both of them could be up for some major awards in during the 2013-14 winter award shows. B+
