150W: Blue Jasmine

Short reviews for clear and concise verdicts on a broad range of films...

Blue Jasmine (Dir. Woody Allen/2013)

Almost as a dream, a plane begins Woody Allen’s latest. From East to West, Jasmine (Blanchett) travels to San Francisco from New York after a troubled break-up. After Allen’s European jaunt, his return to America places Blue Jasmine amongst his very best. Living a life of luxury and upper-class elitism, Jasmine was married to Hal (Baldwin) – a dubious success within finance. Through flashbacks, we gain an insight into her previous lifestyle as Jasmine pill-pops her Xanax and relentlessly chastises her grocery-store sister Ginger (Hawkins) who she is staying with. The blissful ignorance of those in the upper echelons defends them from accountability – and by gently humanising Jasmine’s actions you don’t despise her and only pity her. Cate Blanchett is a wreck and Allen makes no attempt at sheltering us from her cheated, corrupted and warped outlook on the world. Thought-provoking and intriguing, the final revelation only serves to fascinate further.

Rating: 10/10

This review is part of Woody Allen Wednesdays on Flickering Myth...

A-Z #72: Elizabeth

You can pick up hundreds of DVDs for a round-pound each - it doesn't matter. It's never about quantity, it's about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and understanding why I own the films ... or you can tell me why I should sell 'em

#72 - Elizabeth 

Why did I buy it?

I didn't. Sarah Did. The release of the sequel - Elizabeth: The Golden Age - was upon us and I think all the publicity and positive-press got to her. She bought it. We watched it. In fairness, I dig Cate Blanchett.

Why do I still own it?

Its not mine to sell, in the first instance, but I think you have some blistering performances. Interestingly, Joseph Fienne's appeared in this film and Shakespeare in Love, both of which were released in 1998 ...  I was hardly the middle-ages fan back in 1998, instead caring more about Deep Impact, A Bug's Life and Godzilla, but I would assume when people worry about actors being typecast, starring in Shakespeare in Love and Elizabeth in the same year is a risky move. Geoffrey Rush plays another royal role in the guise of Francis Walsingham. Interestingly, Rush was also in Shakespeare in Love with Joseph Fiennes. Sir John Gielgud, Christopher Eccleston and Richard Attenborough also starred in this film so you can see that, as someone interested in Drama, there is muchos acting talent to appreciate.