DVD Review: Blue Jasmine

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That's kind of how I felt when I was watching Blue Jasmine. Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) married a rich man (Alec Baldwin) who's lavish lifestyle she became accustomed to. Then he gets arrested for fraud, kills himself in prison, and now "poor" Jasmine is forced to move to San Francisco with her sister Ginger. (Sally Hawkins) Jasmine is not used to life as a "commoner." She hates Ginger's new boyfriend, Chili (Bobby Canavale) and she doesn't know what she actually wants to do with her life.

I had to see this based on the buzz around Blanchett's performance, and she deserves all of it. She's fantastic as Jasmine. Her character has absolutely no redeeming qualities, but Blanchett still captures her and makes us want to see what happens with the train wreck that is Jasmine's life. Hawkins and Canavale gave good performances too, but other actors like Louis C.K and Peter Sarsgard as wasted. 

I honestly think I would've enjoyed this movie more had it not been directed by Woody Allen. I know, I'm one of the few who doesn't like his movies (minus Midnight in Paris) but his signature jazzy music and neurotic-ness (that's not a word) just didn't feel like it fit. Perhaps it would've worked better as a hard drama? Who knows. The point is, there's some great performances in here, but the film itself isn't the greatest.

Recommended: No (Though if you're a Blanchett fan, you should see it for her.)

Grade: C

Memorable Quote: "Who do you have to sleep with around here to get a Stoli martini with a twist of lemon?"

Comments

  1. ElinaMarch 11, 2014 at 8:11 AM

    Oh, yes! I actually didn't enjoy the movie that much, Blanchett's character was such a douchebag and I generally just didn't feel like the film worked for me--but I'm not a Woody Allen fan either. Spot-on review!

    ReplyDelete
  2. m.brownMarch 11, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    This makes me feel better. I basically loathed Jasmine, and it seems you feel the same way. Cate is amazing in the role, and we definitely don't get enough Louis C.K.

    It seems Midnight in Paris is the most user-friendly Allen for sure, as I loved that one too, and an not the biggest Allen fan myself.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 11, 2014 at 1:41 PM

      That one just worked. I think because Paris itself is a beautiful city. I'm glad I'm not alone in my Jasmine hate. She probably should've gotten ran over at the end.

      Delete
  3. s.March 11, 2014 at 1:37 PM

    Sorry you didn't like this one more, my only advice is - never watch You will meet tall dark stranger or From Rome with Love. I'm a big fan of Allen but I wanted to stab myself in the face during those.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 11, 2014 at 1:40 PM

      Ha! Watched both of this and felt the same way. Nothing of his will ever get me on his bandwagon. I'm convinced the only reason I liked Midnight in Paris so much was because it captured how beautiful Paris really is.

      Delete
  4. thevoid99March 11, 2014 at 4:34 PM

    I liked this film a lot, largely because of Blanchett and Hawkins as they were the highlights for me as is Andrew Dice Clay who was the big surprise for me.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 12, 2014 at 6:19 AM

      I'm not really that familiar with him, but both you and Candice mentioned him. Now I'm trying to remember what he did.,

      Delete
    2. thevoid99March 12, 2014 at 5:31 PM

      He plays Ginger's ex-husband who lost everything because of what Jasmine's husband did and has been bitter about it. It's a real surprise since people know Clay as this kind of misogynist comedian who makes a lot of very sexist jokes and such. Yet, he manages to standout and that one scene he has with Blanchett proves that there's depth to him.

      Delete
    3. Brittani BurnhamMarch 13, 2014 at 6:50 AM

      I saw that now! Had to do a little IMDbing. That's interesting.

      Delete
  5. Candice FrederickMarch 11, 2014 at 7:18 PM

    i absolutely love this movie, but it does have a strong streetcar named desire vibe (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but worth noting). while blanchett is magnificent, i loved all the performances. i wish the rest of the cast got as much recognition. i was truly blown away by andrew dice clay in this role. didn't know he had it in him...

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 12, 2014 at 6:20 AM

      I haven't seen A Streetcar Named Desire, I knew you liked this one a lot. I wish I could've liked it more.

      Delete
  6. Andrew K.March 12, 2014 at 7:21 AM

    I liked this one fairly much but more weirdly, I suppose, I do feel for Jasmine more than a few seem to. It's a particularly risky thing giving us no idea was like BEFORE she got married but there's such a wave of sadness under the performance and I swear at the end when she says "I used to know the words" I do actually feel terrible for her.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 13, 2014 at 6:49 AM

      I always got the impression she was kind of awful before hand too.

      Delete
  7. Jaime R.March 12, 2014 at 4:33 PM

    I liked this one a lot better than you did... But good review, though.

    (P.S. - I nominated this blog for a Liebster Award: http://filmbroadcaster.weebly.com/1/post/2014/03/the-film-broadcaster-gets-a-liebster-award.html)

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  8. Dan O.March 12, 2014 at 11:25 PM

    Good review Brittani. I think it's been said before, time and time again, that Blanchett is great here, but I think the unsung hero is Sally Hawkins. Not only does she show us the heart behind this kind of broken-down character, but lets us get to know her a bit better, just by the certain men she takes into her life.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMarch 13, 2014 at 6:50 AM

      That's true. Sally was great, much better than Lawrence in Hustle anyways.

      Delete
  9. JoshMarch 17, 2014 at 8:05 PM

    I liked the film, but Allen has made better. Still, as you mentioned, there are some great performances here.

    ReplyDelete

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