Review of Blue Jasmine (2013) by Stuart K — 27 Apr 2014

Written and directed by Woody Allen, who returns to America for the first time since his old fashioned and underrated comic romp Whatever Works (2009)), here he returns with a serious film, but this is a moving and very grown up drama which works as a parable on the effect the Recession has had on some people, but Woody assembled a terrific cast, giving it their all in this excellent film.

Jasmine Francis (Cate Blanchett) moves from New York to San Francisco, and moves in with her adoptive sister Ginger (Sally Hawkins). Jasmine is in a fragile state, she had a life of wealth and comfort back in New York with her husband Hal (Alec Baldwin), who was arrested for swindling money, leaving Jasmine penniless.

Jasmine attempts to rebuild her life in a new city, but she's constantly annoyed by Ginger's new boyfriend Chili (Bobby Cannavale), who is very blue-collar and below her social standing. It looks like Jasmine finds luck when she meets widowed diplomat Dwight Westlake (Peter Sarsgaard), but will her luck last this time? Blanchett absolutely steals the film, and she's a natural to act out Woody's dialogue, and she's buoyed by a really good cast, which also includes performances from Michael Stuhlbarg, Louis C.

K. and Andrew Dice Clay. Woody's serious films have had varying success over the years, but this time, he gets it 100% right.