100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 80: Blue Jasmine

Director: Woody Allen

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Runtime: 98 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Alec Baldwin, Bobby Canavale, Louis C.K., Peter Sarsgaard

Description: New York socialite Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) is deeply troubled and in denial. She arrives in San Francisco to impose upon her sister (Sally Hawkins). She looks a million, but isn't bringing money, peace, or love...

Review: Woody Allen decided to tell the story of adopted sisters Jasmine and Ginger. Jasmine lives in Manhattan, with her wealthy husband. Ginger lives in a washed up apartment in San Francisco, with her two sons from her first marriage. After a relationship crisis, Jasmine is looking for a place to live, but moves in with Ginger in the meantime. The past and new love turns the lives of both women upside down.

After a couple of comedies, Allen is back with a more serious film. We see all sorts of contrasts: rich and poor, faithful and unfaithful, truth and lies, artificial and authentic and nervous Manhattan versus relaxed San Francisco. The story switches in time, very fluently. It’s easy to follow and we see the transformation of especially Jasmine. On terms of acting, we get a couple of master classes. Cate Blanchett does her job very well, we didn’t expect anything else. But it’s Sally Hawkins who steals the show as the amiable and fragile Ginger.

Woody Allen doesn’t fully go for the drama. Sometimes that’s a shame, because the comedy takes the edge of the drama sometimes. Because of that, “Blue Jasmine” never manages to really touch you. The film is very good, but it isn’t a masterpiece.

Rating: 4/ 5