Review of Blue Jasmine (2013) by Archonmagazine — 19 Sep 2014

From the moment we open on Blue Jasmine the tension is palpable. Married to a real estate swindler, Jasmine is disgraced, broke and in the midst of a nervous breakdown, forced to stay with her sister in San Francisco. We learn of her affluence and downfall through flashbacks and neurotic story-telling to no one in particular – rehashing what was and has been, unable to come to grips with the truth of her situation. All the while we wait for the inevitable culmination as Jasmine continues to live beyond her means while staying with her sister, someone her husband defrauded.

Jasmine drowns herself in vodka martinis and is absolutely loathsome and irredeemable as the dishonored socialite. The pain and turmoil is clear in every scene featuring Cate Blanchett, though in the end it is impossible to sympathize for she is as unethical as her former husband clinging to her Hermès bag while donning a Chanel coat, all deliberate costume choices. Ms. Blanchett really is immaculate in this film and carries it throughout. Though aspects of the character seem a bit repetitive in comparison to former roles, which might detract from her ability to garner wins in the ‘best actress’ category. Further, every role is perfectly casted, especially her sister Ginger, played by Sally Hawkins, and Ginger’s love interests in the movie, played by Louis CK, Andrew Dice Clay and Bobby Cannavale. With all Woody Allen films, the story telling is heavily reliant upon dialogue; and despite its California setting, Allen cannot shake the New York feel, no matter how brightly the movie was shot.

It is a good movie with a superb tragic protagonist, a female in the grips of despair and how those around her react as it affects them. But, the pinnacle and conclusion and story itself is dissatisfying, as no true resolution occurs.

We, as the viewers, discover Jasmine’s culpability and everything continues just as it began. Audiences will probably not go back to it and I doubt it will have the longevity of greater movies released this year.

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