Michael Elliott
Senior HTF Member
If there was every a director, a writer, a role and an actress that were born to be together then you're going to find it here in Woody Allen's latest. I'll admit that I'm a major fan of the director and that I loved MIDNIGHT IN PARIS and really thought TO ROME WITH LOVE deserved more attention. With that said, this film here is better than the two of them put together and I'd probably argue that this is Allen's best since MANHATTAN.
If Cate Blanchett doesn't walk away with the Best Actress Oscar it's pretty exciting because it means there must be one hell of a performance coming up later in the year. She's certainly terrific here and it's rather amazing to see how well she can play various emotions because Jasmine is without question one of the greatest female roles that Allen has ever written and she's probably also the most troubled. Watching Blanchett walk through this person's various mental problems was something truly spectacular to watch. The supporting performers also deserve some Oscar buzz including Sally Hawkins as the "loser" sister, Bobby Cannavale as her boyfriend and Andrew Dice Clay is terrific as a character that I won't ruin. The heart and emotion he brings this character is really something I wasn't expecting but Allen perfectly uses him.
This here is basically Allen's version of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE with the sister coming to live with the other and everything falling apart. This is one of Allen's best films and I loved the roller coaster ride feeling that he gives it. I guess you could say that life is full of ups and downs and they're perfectly brought to the screen here. The screenplay, direction and performances are certainly some of the best that you're going to see this year so hopefully more people will track this down when it comes near you.
If Cate Blanchett doesn't walk away with the Best Actress Oscar it's pretty exciting because it means there must be one hell of a performance coming up later in the year. She's certainly terrific here and it's rather amazing to see how well she can play various emotions because Jasmine is without question one of the greatest female roles that Allen has ever written and she's probably also the most troubled. Watching Blanchett walk through this person's various mental problems was something truly spectacular to watch. The supporting performers also deserve some Oscar buzz including Sally Hawkins as the "loser" sister, Bobby Cannavale as her boyfriend and Andrew Dice Clay is terrific as a character that I won't ruin. The heart and emotion he brings this character is really something I wasn't expecting but Allen perfectly uses him.
This here is basically Allen's version of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE with the sister coming to live with the other and everything falling apart. This is one of Allen's best films and I loved the roller coaster ride feeling that he gives it. I guess you could say that life is full of ups and downs and they're perfectly brought to the screen here. The screenplay, direction and performances are certainly some of the best that you're going to see this year so hopefully more people will track this down when it comes near you.