In Woody Allen’s latest cityscape, a listless San Francisco plays host to the ghosts of New York.

What is perhaps most impressive about Blue Jasmine is its seamless integration of psyche and structure. Here,  Allen’s penchant for cultural stereotypes and postcard backdrops have given way to Jasmine (Blanchett)’s conceited perception of contemporary life.

In spite of Blue Jasmine‘s primary situation, it is first and foremost a film of interiors – both personal and physical. Jasmine’s own scattered emotional space is perfectly mirrored by her disarrayed surroundings; creating a dichotomous relationship between her New York origins, and her now tumultuous present-day struggle to validate her egomania.

All is made possible, however, by Cate Blanchett’s scintillating performance of a woman who is simply, irrevocably broken.

An efficacious character study of somebody truly fallen.

RATING: 5/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard

DIRECTOR: Woody Allen

WRITERS: Woody Allen

SYNOPSIS: Following her husband’s incarceration, a New York socialite moves to San Francisco in an effort to reclaim her status.