Blue Jasmine – Directed by Woody Allen

Yes – while dealing with depression it’s also Enthralling, Engrossing, Entertaining, Riveting and a picture of anxiety.

In the opening five minutes of the film as I watched Cate Blanchet’s character Jasmine unfold onscreen my first thought was -hang on – this is my Mum. Except, as deserving as she is, Mum’s unlikely to take out an Academy Award for Best Actress. Blue Jasmine will certainly earn “our” Cate her third nomination and very likely her first win. (She won best supporting in The Aviator.)

Regarding the 2014 Academy Awards – there’s two women standing in Cate’s way – Emma Thompson & Amy Adams – for films based on true stories released at Xmas this year. (American Hustle. Saving Mr Banks)

Back to Blue Jasmine – Cate Blanchet puts in what must have been an exhausting performance as Jasmine French – a New York socialite who loses her sizable wealth and her mental health when her husband Hal – Alec Baldwin gets pinched for fraud. – Let’s take a look.

People are either going to relate to Jasmine French and recognize somebody they know or maybe themselves – or they won’t –  and that will determine how they feel about this movie.

The movie flips between Jasmine’s current life as she moves to San Francisco and in with her sister Ginger and her past life in New York with all its trappings.

The supporting cast are strong – Alec Baldwin, Sally Hawkins, Louis CK Bobby Cannavale from Boardwalk Empire,  Andrew Dice Clay, but see this for Cate’s Oscar worthy trun as the troubled Jasmine.

Jasmine is really like a noxious weed growing and stifling all around her with her poison. My Mum’s more like a rose – just a thorn or two.

This film has divided audiences particularly hardcore Woody Allen fans, and if you slow down at car accidents then you’ll enjoy watching poor Jasmine flounder in her new life without all the usual props and scenery she’s accustomed to. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though it’s not an especially nice story. Riveting.

4 stars.