BLUE JASMINE
When her crook ex-husband (Alec Baldwin) loses all their money and goes to prison, Jasmine (Cate Blanchett), a disgraced Upper East Side socialite, moves to San Francisco to live with her shelf-packing, gold-hearted sister (Sally Hawkins).
Refusing to work menial jobs and mourning for the comfortable life she led, Jasmine spirals downward, taking us with her as she goes.
Blue Jasmine is hilarious, awkward and moving. Woody Allen once again works wonders with a perfectly balanced cast and an emotive, original script.
Blanchett thrives while making Jasmine a complex, neurotic protagonist; you hate her, love her and understand her in equal measure.
This film will keep you thinking days after you’ve left the cinema. Woody and Cate; please make more films together. (TW)
***1/2
BY TOM WILSON
