Following a decade of films set in aesthetically beautiful cities around Europe from Barcelona to Paris, Woody Allen’s latest project finds his focus returning to his beloved US.
Blue Jasmine follows the trajectory of former New York socialite, Jasmine, as she struggles to accept losing the majority of her great wealth and is forced to depend upon her sister, whilst trying in vain to adjust to the colourful reality of life in working class San Francisco.
The film intercuts between the present day reality of Jasmine’s fall from grace and flashbacks of her once exorbitant lifestyle in East Hampton, which is gradually revealed to construct a clearer picture of the reasons behind such a decline.
As with any Woody Allen work there is a notable level of care taken to convey the beauty of the locations portrayed throughout the film, whether it be our frequent glimpses of Jasmine and Hal’s obscene wealth or the equally beautiful if overtly contrasting shots of a sunny San Francisco.
Whilst the locations and mise-en scene are both flatteringly shot, it is often the performances of a talented ensemble cast, led by the outstanding Cate Blanchett, that ultimately adds a great depth of richness to the film.
Blanchett is utterly captivating as the film’s mentally scarred lead, dominating every scene in which she appears and earning the audience’s sympathy and pity regardless of the distasteful nature of her pretentious outlook on life.
Whilst her masterful performance is the glue that keeps the film together, there are also a number of strong supporting roles that provide the film with a depth one wouldn’t expect at first glance.
The ever-exuberant Sally Hawkins plays Jasmine’s adopted sister Ginger, whilst Alec Baldwin eases into the role of the arrogant billionaire, Hal, a cheater in both his domestic and personal life.
Ginger is the antithesis of her delusional and overly judgemental sister; whilst less refined than Jasmine she is far more laid back and has a far more interesting taste in men.
She is currently engaged to the seemingly macho (yet secretly insecure) Chili played competently by Bobby Cannavale ( of Boardwalk Empire fame) yet has two children from a previous marriage which ended abruptly.
Following the negative influence and constant disapproval of her newly arrived sister, Ginger also embarks upon an ill advised fling with the disarmingly charming Al, played effectively by comedian Louis CK .
As the film progresses the audience is shown just how deep Blanchett’s character is prepared to bury herself within her paper-thin world of self delusion and denial and we witness how costly such dedication to deception ultimately proves to be.
After a decade of inconsistent and at times incoherent filmmaking, Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine is a welcome return to form for the experience director.
Aided by an emotionally effecting (Oscar worthy) lead performance from Blanchett, this efficient study of a woman struggling to adjust to a reality from which she has long been absent, proves that the 77 year old director is still more than capable of producing utterly compelling cinema.