Woody Allen can certainly be an acquired taste, especially his earlier work. More recently, the writer and director has been pushing movies into cinemas that are a bit more accessible for average cinema going audiences. He started this with Match Point in 2005, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Midnight in Paris and To Rome with Love have keep that trend rolling over the last few years. And now, the latest Allen project, Blue Jasmine has arrived in cinemas.
As per usual Woody Allen assembles a rock solid cast here with the likes of Alec Baldwin, Louis C.K., Andrew Dice Clay, Sally Hawkins and Cate Blanchett all on board. It’s Blanchett that takes the lead role here as a one time, super wealthy New York socialite who arrives in San Francisco broke and shacks up with her far less well off adopted sister. In the usual non linear narrative that we are used to from Allen, the tale goes back and forth between the good and wealthy times and the present time, which seems to be getting more complicated for Blanchett’s character as the running time trundles on.
Andrew Dice Clay and Louis C.K. prove yet again that comedians can pull off amazing performances, especially Dice Clay. Far removed from his on stage persona, the comedian delivers a sweet and realistic performance here and seems to totally absorb his character. The same can be said for C.K. who is also really good if a littler underused. Alec Baldwin falls into the same category and is nothing but convincing as an extremely wealthy, scum bag, mogul. But nothing can prepare you for how awesome Cate Blanchett is. She blows everybody off the screen (including Sally Hawkins, who just about hangs on in their scenes together) in what is simply one of the best performances of her career and one of the greatest pieces of acting that you’re likely to see this year. Whatever you think about Woody Allen, he can certainly get amazing performances out of his cast, and Blue Jasmine is no exception. Blanchett’s descent into a life of drinking and slight madness is handled perfectly by the actress and the subtle changes she goes through are brilliantly done.
The story is straightforward enough, but the non linear narrative with its constant switching back and forth may leave audiences feeling a little bit bewildered, especially in the last quarter where at times you’re not quite sure whats happening and the other mini plots and characters seem to wrap up very quickly with lame explanation (Louis C.K.’s character is the obvious example) and little thought. With characters as good as C.K. and Dice Clay, it would have been nice to get more from them and certainly they deserve better closure than they got, on screen.
Overall, Blue Jasmine is not without its faults, but its a decent story which is watchable and on occasion will have you laughing. But the real reason to see this, regardless if you despise Woody Allen, is to see Cate Blanchett. She is worth the price of admission alone and shows the world how acting should be really done!
