How many times have I seen "Blue Jasmine"? I've lost count. Eventually I bought the download on Amazon so I can watch it as often as I like.
For me, it's one of the best of Woody Allen's films in recent years. Jasmine's character, played by Cate Blanchett, is truly unique.
Woody Allen's heroines are almost always neurotic and self-absorbed: Linda in Play It Again, Sam; Annie in Annie Hall; Mary in Manhattan; Holly in Hannah and Her Sisters; Nola in Match Point; and Helena in You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.
Jasmine is no exception. Cate's Jasmine reveals layers of this character in such a way that you can't imagine any other actress playing this part.
Woody Allen is a minimalist filmmaker, swimming against the tide in a sea of complex, high-tech, CGI productions. He consistently writes brilliant scripts and his actors, more often than not, get nominated for Academy Awards. Reason being, he writes parts that give actors an opportunity to stretch their acting muscles. Challenging characters that jump off the page and come alive on the screen.
No wonder highly-paid actors take a cut in pay to work in a Woody Allen film. They want that credit on their resume.
Not to say that every Woody Allen film is a true work of art. He's had his share of duds. Nevertheless, when he finds the perfect combination of story and actors, magic happens.
My favorite Woody Allen Films:
Annie Hall
Manhattan
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Manhattan Murder Mystery
Match Point
Cassandra's Dream
Midnight in Paris
Blue Jasmine
Notable actors in Woody Allen films:
Meryl Streep - Manhattan
Jeff Daniels - The Purple Rose of Cairo
Michale Caine - Hannah and Her Sisters
Martin Landau - Crimes and Misdemeanors
Gena Rowlands - Another Woman
Alan Alda - Manhattan Murder Mystery/Crimes and Misdemeanors
Kenneth Branaugh - Celebrity
Sean Penn - Sweet and Low Down
Edward Norton - Everybody Says I Love You
Drew Barrymore - Everybody Says I Love You
Goldie Hawn - Everybody Says I Love You
Tim Roth - Everybody Says I Love You
Julia Roberts - Everybody Says I Love You
Scarlett Johansson - Match Point/Scoop/ Vicky Christina Barcelona
Ewan McGregor - Cassandra's Dream
Colin Farrell - Cassandra's Dream
Helen Hunt - The Jade Scorpion
Alec Baldwin - To Rome With Love/Blue Jasmine
Javier Bardem - Vicky Christina Baracelona
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Christina Barcelona/To Rome With Love
Anthony Hopkins - You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
Naomi Watts - You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
Owen Wilson - Midnight in Paris
Rachel McAdams - Midnight in Paris
Kathy Bates - Midnight in Paris
Jesse Eisenberg - To Rome With Love
Ellen Page - To Rome With Love
Colin Firth - Magic in the Moonlight
Josh Brolin - You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
My favorite Woody Allen movie: The Purple Rose of Cairo I probably would have passed it over, but It was on a list of "movies every screenwriter must see", so I was compelled to watch and glad I did. Fun concept for a film.
ReplyDeleteTrudy: That is a great movie. I love how Woody uses magic in his films sometimes. A wonderful story of how movies help you escape the sad realities of life.
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