The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

Blue Jasmine’ one of Allen’s best

?In 1966, Woody Allen released his first full-length picture. Forty-seven years have passed and he has had well over 40 films in theaters. He has had flops and hits. He has seen the good side of the press and the bad. He has been one of the strongest sources of laughter, controversy and cerebral brain-food in modern cinema. Despite now shuffling around in a 77-year old body, Allen is still putting out films that are fresher than what is being made by directors half his age, and there doesn?t seem to be much evidence of him stopping until the grave. ?Blue Jasmine? is undeniable proof of this filmmaker?s stamina and unrelenting talent.The film is a dark comedy, structured around some sly humor, immense sadness and critical satire. I felt a constant mix of pity, disgust and amusement when viewing the main character, Jasmine, played with absolute competence by Cate Blanchett, falling to pieces on screen. Allen has always been the neurotic king of the silver screen. But in this film, he pushes his character past neurotic to border-line psychotic. Blanchett carries out the crack-up in an extremely convincing manner. Her last moment on screen has a bone-chilling presence and makes for one of the most melancholic Woody Allen endings ever. Each scenario creates uncomfortable tension between characters, mainly in a type of class clash, maybe in an attempt to criticize those with wealth. Jasmine is an upper class socialite with unabashed entitlement married to a businessman, played by Alec Baldwin, whose obvious dalliances with Jasmine?s own friends and social acquaintances make him far from the world?s perfect husband. Deranged circumstances press Jasmine to move in with her distanced working-class sister played by Sally Hawkins. Jasmine?s mental collapse builds throughout the events of the film, mainly based on the culture shock of moving down in the financial class structure. Sally Hawkins gives my favorite performance in the film; one that can only be described as nothing short of completely charming. Standup comedian Louis C.K.?s small role is also an understated pleasure, scathingly well written and performed with an unpredicted twist.Stanley Kubrick once said that cinema was the human face. In ?Blue Jasmine? extreme care is taken to capture some of the most intense expressions and utterance of words that the actors could produce. Although the cinematography isn?t breathtaking, the set design, costumes and story are extremely well crafted. I could see the effort put into picking every piece of clothing, decoration and location. Whether you?ll find ?Blue Jasmine? to be more comedic or more tragic is entirely based on your tastes as film viewer. In comparison to other Allen films, it is more in league with the grim film ?Match Point? than with the spunky ?Annie Hall.? Whether you agree with the buzz and enjoy the film or not, ?Blue Jasmine? undoubtedly has placed down yet another brick in cementing Woody Allen as one of the most productive and quality filmmakers in the history of cinema.

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Blue Jasmine’ one of Allen’s best