ChicRawIdol A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Kirandeep Yoder The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

insomniacsandsun The good: In this refreshingly character-driven story, Cate Blanchett gives such a raw, convincing performance that she disappears entirely into her deeply troubled character, Jasmine.The premise is intriguing, and the story has a haunting quality that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.The bad: The hallmark of any film where nuanced characters take center stage is making the audience feel sympathy for even the most unsympathetic people. Unfortunately, this film missed the mark and I wasn't remotely invested in Jasmine's slow decent into madness. It was horrifying to watch the character unravel, but when all is said and done, Woody Allen missed an opportunity to help us really understand the complex narcissist portrayed by Blanchett.The bottom line: If you're looking for an outstanding character-driven film with some levity, you'll be better off exploring other options. I should also add I'm not sure this film qualifies as a "dark comedy." To call any form of mental illness "funny" diminishes the severity of life-altering conditions that are anything but humorous.

Charles Camp A detailed and nuanced portrait of an extremely troubled woman that manages to have a light, comedic tone despite its dark content. Tackles a number of heavy themes like mental illness, identity, and infidelity but always in a clever, entertaining, and frequently funny way. Cate Blanchett is the blinding star of the film, giving a phenomenal performance that she certainly deserved her Oscar win for. Her range here is so broad and she captures every detail of her histrionic character in a way that feels authentic and spontaneous. The screenplay is also largely excellent with sharp dialogue and an intelligent structure which jumps between the past and present in a way that effectively peels the layers of these characters back. There are a few moments that feel a bit contrived, particularly a chance encounter Jasmine has with a former brother-in-law which was a tad too convenient for the story and felt more scripted than spontaneous. These moments are rare, however, and overall Blue Jasmine is a quality film elevated to excellence by Blanchett.4/5

huggibear This is a movie difficult to rate because the acting is superb, but the 'closure' was non-existent. I don't tend to care for movies that have no closure, unless they indicate a possible sequel. I think this is my very first Woody Allen flick viewing as well, but I'm not certain. I don't know his writing styles just yet. I'd be open to watching some of his newer pieces of work though and go from there. The acting makes this movie worthy of a viewing, but the resolve is unsettling. Form your own opinions of this one. I just happen to like finished films with good lessons learned. In a way, it teaches us how to move on or how not to get involved in situations such as this where we depend on others for our own way. Now I have to figure out the way all on my own. I can relate! Hope to do just that some day!

Amy Adler Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) is one troubled woman. After finding the high life with rich, rich investment guru hubby Hal (Alec Baldwin), things fell apart. Hal was the twin of Bernie Madoff, lost his client's monies, and is now in prison. Maybe its a good thing, for he was a serial cheater on Jasmine as well. Now, with very few options, Jasmine goes to San Francisco to stay indefinitely with her warm but ditzy sister, Ginger (Sally Hawkins). On arrival, Ginger welcomes Jasmine but is aghast when Jazz confides that she hid away some jewels and traveled first class. This makes sis ponder, what did Jasmine know about her husband's scheming? When they were girls, Jasmine was Jeanette until she "re-invented" herself as a Manhattan socialite who had little or no time for Ginger. Also, long ago, Ginger and her former husband, Augie (Andrew Dice Clay) won the lotto but lost everything when Hal convinced them to invest in his company. So, tensions are severe. A grocery clerk, Ginger has two sons and a loving but uncouth boyfriend, Chili (Bobby Cannavale). Naturally, Jasmine advises her to dump this man and look elsewhere. Without a job or a means to get back on her feet, Jasmine tries to earn an online interior decorator's license. When she fails, Jazz reluctantly gets a job as a dentist's receptionist. But, one fateful night, Jasmine gets invited to a society event, drags along Ginger, and spies relief. A handsome man and wealthy man, Dwight (Peter Sarsgaard) casts his eye on beautiful Jasmine and she immediately plots to marry him. But, can she get a ring on her finger before he finds out who she is? This excellent movie, torn from the headlines of the Madoff scandal, is a serious turn by Woody. It recalls his stellar film Cries and Misdemeanors, with a touch of humor amid the somber chaos. Blanchett excels as the conniving diva who swears she didn't know what her ex-husband was doing and finds middle class life unbearable. Hawkins, Baldwin, Cannavale, Clay, Sarsgaard, and all of the others are terrific, too. Cheers, also, for the great scenery, costumes, and polished direction. More importantly, the script is tantalizing as it asks the viewer to ponder what is the worth of a man or woman; is it wealth or is it a loving heart? Even this question is nuanced in fifty shades. All Woody fans MUST catch it and most of the rest of the planet should watch it, too.