122785321
In recent years especially, Woody Allen has almost exclusively delivered ensemble dramedies, from “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” to his greatest (financial) hit, “Midnight in Paris.” But while the director’s new film, “Blue Jasmine,” may seem to follow this same path, boasting a cast that includes such diverse talents as Sally Hawkins, Peter Sarsgaard, and Louis C.K., the movie belongs to Cate Blanchett, whose whirlwind performance as the eponymous ex-trophy wife cements the movie as a deftly driven star vehicle.
We catch up with Jasmine (whose real name is Jeanette) just after the death of her husband, Hal (Alec Baldwin), a Bernie Madoff type who gets busted, then offs himself in prison. Her assets liquidated, Jasmine is left broke and broken, washing down Xanax with Stoli martinis to escape the fact that she’s fallen out of the 1 percent. Living with her working-class sister, Ginger (Hawkins), in San Francisco, Jasmine takes a half-stab at doing “medial” work, but soon slips back into pursuing the only life she knows: A fully-funded fantasy.
Urgently topical and deceptively multi-layered, “Blue Jasmine” sees Allen make a stinging commentary on economic woes of late, and within that explore the far-reaching effects of denial and entitlement, two things that, as evidenced, can make you fall to pieces. In casting Blanchett, he strikes blistering, tragicomic gold, as the actress, who hasn’t tackled this type of role in half a decade, grabs hold of the material and soars.
Since Jasmine, a Manhattanite, storms into Ginger’s life and makes trouble, particularly for Ginger’s live-in boyfriend, Chili (Bobby Cannavale), the structure has been compared to that of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” with Blanchett’s character recalling Blanche DuBois. But those classic seeds of inspiration are eventually left in Blanchett’s dust. The leading lady brings to vivid life a painfully entertaining breakdown, and the domestic triangle is merely one element on which it’s unleashed.
Jasmine’s all-too-relevant and crippling lack of contentment turns a mirror on the times, and Blanchett turns Jasmine into a cautionary antiheroine of epic proportions. It’s the best role and performance of the brilliant actress’ career.
Blue Jasmine
PG-13
Three-and-a-half reels out of four
Opens tomorrow at the Ritz Five
Recommended Rental
Olympus Has Fallen
R
Available Tuesday
In all honesty, “Olympus Has Fallen” is recommended with reservations, as this brazenly jingoistic shoot-’em-up sends a lot of unhealthy messages, including painting all North Koreans as members of the next al- Qaida. But at least the borderline B-movie owns its views in campy fashion, making it more benign than, say, the unduly lauded and fear-promoting “Argo.” Starring Gerard Butler, “Olympus” is a breathless “Die Hard” throwback, and it certainly beats the similar “White House Down.”
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
122785351
122785341
