BLUE JASMINE
US, 2013, 98 minutes, Colour.
Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Sally Hawkins, Peter Sarsgaard, Andrew Dice Clay, Bobby Cannavale, Louis C.K.
Directed by Woody Allen.
This is certainly a film for Woody Allen’s many admirers. Those who are not his fans might be very well impressed by this film. He wrote and directed it when he was in his mid-seventies, with a long career in humour and film behind him, and serious issues in his private life, traces of which seem to surface in this film.
Part of the film is set in his familiar New York City, the world of the affluent, the social snobs. But there is also a connection to Wall Street, financial fraud and the problems of the first decade of the 21st century, the global financial meltdown. Some commentators have linked some of the themes to Bernie Madoff and his exploitation of people and gambling with their money, as well as to his wife Helen.
Alec Baldwin plays Hal, her charming member of the rich set, but shady in his financial dealings and extravagant in his lifestyle, pampering his wife, but also a womanizer.
Most of the film, however, is not set in New York City but in San Francisco. This is something new for Woody Allen and he photographs the city very attractively as well as showing ordinary life amongst ordinary people. But, there are also affluent people in San Francisco, similar parties to those of New York City. And there are beautiful homes on San Francisco Bay.
However, this is a story about Jeanette, adopted as a child along with another adoptee sister, Ginger. Ginger has run away from home at the earliest opportunity. Jeanette has bigger ambitions and has changed her name to Jasmine. At college, studying anthropology, she was swept off her feet by Hal and married him.
As the film opens, she is travelling from New York to San Francisco by plane, talking incessantly about herself to her fellow-passenger. Jasmine does a lot of talking to herself, her external self-esteem seems very strong, but below the surface she is often bewildered.
Jasmine is played by Cate Blanchett, who offers great performances in her many films, this being certainly one of her best. She commands the screen, audiences involved with her even if they don’t like her and would disapprove of her. She has a great fascination. As the film moves fluidly from present to past and back again, quite often, we see Cate Blanchett’s performance as the seemingly self-assured, pampered wife of the millionaire. But in San Francisco, we see her neurotic, drinking and pill-taking, presumptuously demanding, sponging on her sister, irritated by her nephews, putting her sister’s boyfriend down, extravagant in her outlook despite having to come to terms with her having no money. She tries to learn computer. She works, not very effectively, as a dentist’s secretary and is upset at his advances.
But, after urging her sister to seek other men and Ginger’s finding an agreeable dancing partner at the party, played by Louis C.K., she encounters a charming, reserved diplomat with political ambitions, played by Peter Sarsgaard, who is attracted to her. But, putting on a fantasy front, she prepares her own fate by her lies.
This is Woody Allen drawing on his talent for seriousness seen in such films as Interiors, Hannah and her Sisters or Crimes and Misdemeanours. He does have some comic touches but this is not a film that is meant to be funny in the expected Woody Allen sense. He has written an intense screenplay, a portrait of a disturbed woman, supported by a portrait of a happy-go-lucky woman in Sally Hawkins’ fine performance as Ginger.
In the past, screenplay and performances would have readily received Oscar nominations. It is hoped that they do with Blue Jasmine.
1. A Woody Allen film? His long career? Acclaim for this film? Written and directed in his mid-seventies? Serious and comic?
2. The quality of the cast, Cate Blanchett and her powerful performance? Sally Hawkins and her convincing performance? The supporting roles, comic actors cast against type?
3. The New York setting, familiar from other Woody Allen films, the affluent world, houses on Long Island, mansions, the wealthy set? The world of big business?
4. The comparison with San Francisco, more ordinary, the streets, workers’ apartments, the dentist’s reception room, shops? Parties at the homes of the wealthy? The affluent home on the bay? A feel for San Francisco? The landmarks and the vistas?
5. The relationship of the film to Tennessee Williams and A Streetcar Named Desire? Jasmine’s Blanche, Ginger as Stella, Chili as Stanley? The suggestions that the basic plot was based on the experience of Bernie Madoff and his wife?
6. The musical score, jazz, the recurring theme of Blue Moon, its importance for Jasmine and her first seeing Hal? The final song and its lyrics?
7. The structure of the film, moving between New York and San Francisco, between the present and the past? Illuminating each character, giving information about them, the progress in the relationship between Jasmine and Hal, between Ginger and Augie? Resolution or no resolution?
8. The tone of the film from the introduction, Jasmine talking nonstop, the passenger listening, walking through the airport, at the carousel, the old lady saying Jasmine was talking to herself? The taxi, at the door of the house, phoning Ginger, going for the key, the cab driver helping her, the big tip? Her reaction to the house?
9. The contrast between Ginger and Jasmine, adopted sisters, their relationship with their family, Ginger running away at the earliest opportunity? Jeanette being favoured, changing her name to Jasmine? Their lack of contact? Ginger and Augie winning the lottery? Their visit to New York, Jasmine and her disdain, not wanting to be hospitable but saying the right words, Jasmine genuine in giving advice about the money, her later saying she had no blame? Hal, the investment, the advice, stealing the money? The consequences for Ginger and Augie?
10. The introduction to Ginger, her appearance, manner of speaking, her clothes? Arguing with Augie? The kids, the role of her kids, disturbing Jasmine
with noise, listening to her as she talked about herself?
11. Cate Blanchett as Jasmine, her age, experience, in the forties, adopted, relationship with her parents, going to college, anthropology, Hal sweeping her off her feet? Danny as her stepson? Her life, having everything, wealth, the mansion, gifts of bracelets? Not noticing Hal’s behaviour, having no business interest, gossiping with her friends, charities? Believing Hal, comfortable life, snobbery, self-focused? Ginger and Augie and their visit, her reaction? The party, Ginger noticing Raylene? Having seen her in the street and Hal kissing her? At the party? Discussing this issue with Augie? Deciding not to tell Jasmine? Hal and his continued cheating, his deals? Her challenging Hal about the women, her being upset? Her ringing the FBI? Losing everything, the courts, selling her jewellery, still travelling first class and having first class sensibilities? Her snobbery about Ginger, her drinking, talking, controlling her, condemning Chili? The arguments and taunts with Chili? Deciding to get a job, wanting to talk about it, taking her pills, the computers, help during the classes, the dentist’s job, her work, clients, appointments? Dr. Flipper and his sexual harassment? Her being upset? Leaving? Issues of self-esteem, good self-esteem on the surface, lacking in depth?
12. Ginger adopted, running away, her marriage, Augie as a character, the kids, winning the lottery, Augie’s ambitions, going to New York, Hal and the best Hal and the investment? The separation? Chili in her life, his visits, his friend, the meals, Jasmine’s instant dislike, criticising Chili, the arguments about his being with Ginger, Ginger and her succumbing to Jasmine’s influence? The put-downs of Chili? The invitation to the party, Ginger dancing with Al, talk, the sexual encounters, the lunch hour and the invitation? As a character, installing sound systems? The possibilities of a future? Chili and his anger, weeping, tearing up the phone? Al and the phone call, the discovery that he was married? Ginger and Chili getting back together again? Happy together? And with the boys?
13. Hal, Alec Baldwin’s performance, screen presence, a convincing fraud? Marrying Jasmine, money, the frauds, the documents, the discussions with the lawyers, the partner wanting to opt out, the threat of the police? Augie’s and Ginger’s loss? His affairs, on the streets, his secretary? Buying the bracelet and giving it to Jasmine in the bath? The chatter amongst friends? The friend revealing the truth to Jasmine after many years? Her confronting Hal, his reaction, selfishness, his lies, going to France, the au pair girl loving him, the difference in age? Jasmine ringing the FBI? Hal being arrested on the street? Going to prison, hanging himself?
14. The party with Jasmine not meeting everyone, finding Dwight, his charm, his story of his life, his dead wife, a diplomat, interest in politics? Their bonding, her lies about herself and her life? Going out, meeting his parents, about to buy the ring, her designing homes and talk about decoration, her hopes? Chance encounter with Augie, his asking her questions, revealing the truth, Dwight ending the relationship?
15. Her desperate visit to Danny, his marriage and overcoming drugs, wanting nothing to do with her?
16. The end and everybody being fine except Jasmine?
17. Being a turning point for her, or her having the moral strength for a new life or going back into her past?
