Blue Jasmine DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment - Award-Winning Movie for Drama Lovers & Movie Night Entertainment

Just some solo afternoon entertainment-My guy doesn’t like “chick flicks” lol. He spent the afternoon building us a chicken coop! So I scanned Amazon movies just for me.I confess. I’m a Woody Allen fiend. I didn’t see ny first one till the late 80’s - I was still a bit too young to “get” some Woodys style and humor. He uses a lot of sarcasm and irony- lots of name dropping classic writers of literature. ( I was reading Cosmo & People)He tends to use certain actors repeatedly in his movies. Dianne Keaton, Mia Farrow-but the most prolific cast member of all of his movies is without exception ....New York. Specifically Manhattan. So my first viewing day the age of around 20 something-Annie Hall, was the perfect place to start. Yes-many jokes at the time just breezily floated over my head. But the main structure of that movie - was the simple story of boy meets girl.It was funny, unique, Allen is something rarely scene in ANY movie -he’s a neurotic, self centered, paranoid know it all. No game with women. More apt to insert his foot in his mouth, when trying to set the right thing.So that was my intro to Woody Allen & Dianne Keaton of course. I instantly related to her sort of ditzy, can’t make up her mind about relationships, her idiosyncrasies: driving like a maniac ( runs in the family) humming, her euphemisms ( la di da)And she single handedly started a style of fashion that was seen everywhere - in se iteration. At 12 , I hadn’t seen the movie - but I Did see, and who was didn’t ,the vest and tie - crinkly cotton shirt - cowl neck sweaters - and top knots.10 years later I saw “looking for Mr Goodbar” which traumatized the beloved image I had about Dianne Keaton. That movie should come with a warning : JUST WATCH SOMETHING ELSE”.I won’t go through Allen’s entire catalog of films. Some are better than others. “Bananas” 30 years later - I still don’t get it.I think Manhattan Murder Mystery. Hilarious- reunited with Keaton- the film is beautifully filmed- knocking off sone of the NYC grime instead we see sharply shot views of the Village, but the real pull here.? Allen, once again in neurotic mode, add a sizable dash of paranoia- his banter with Keaton is pure gold.Well. Another Woody Allen film is about to knock MMM out of first place.Blue Jasmine is everything Woody you’d expect. Bit there are elements seen in this film that aren’t usual Allen hallmarks. The viewer is watching fine china...crack slowly till it’s completely and utterly broken. He unveils the facades of beautiful people, CHANEL wearing ladies who lunch -all yammering about their new interior designer, private dinner celebrating...well just celebrating aboard their yacht. Jasmine, buzzing around like a bee- throwing jaw dropping dinner parties in the 5th Avenue cavernous gilded penthouse. And she forever extols the generous loving husband -who wisely keeps her from any suspicion by constantly feeding her materialistic cravings.The movie is clearly showing one scene after the next-Jasmine’s unyielding belief that her marriage to her loving, generous, handsome husband is rock solid. But the suspicions swirl in their circle of superficial ilk of so called friends.When one true friend- sits down with her - and gives her jarring information-doing it as gently as she can- but doesn’t sugarcoat one scintilla-jasmine is stunned. “Who knows “ she asks. “Who doesn’t know? She offers.The wheels are coming off the limo, one by one.Barging into her billionaire husbands den- she can’t contain her rage and betrayal. Asking if it’s true. Hubby ( Alec Baldwin) cool as a cucumber- in a controlled -unemotional tone -Admits to being in love, with the French aupair ( sitter) Promises she’ll be cared for. She is losing it and desperate. But hubby continues to busily gather files and papers....cramming them into his Louis Vitton brief case. Than....he’s gone.I’ll stop here, one - because I’m tired. 2 - because the second half is like a totally different movie- everything except Jasmine.The casting in the film was really interesting and unexpected. Cate Blanchette really is the only actress who could handle this imploding role- Blanchette has been in many films - almost exclusively always in the lead role. Yet - she still had the ability to turn to vapor and disappear into the role. And not by changing her appearance drastically-here very little at all. She adapts a believable “upper crust Manhattanite” way of talking. Her Aussie accent never peeks through.But some of the 2nd half was disappointing. I’d never heard of the actress, Sally Hawkins- that’s not the problem. She just didn’t feel true-or barely needed. IDK, I Just didn’t care for her. A stunning, and welcome surprise was the one and only Andrew Dice Clay! Yea, the obnoxious, belligerent hugely successful comedian in the 80’s. No filters AT ALL. I think he got black balled- for some BS reason - anyway it was great seeing him - looking like he hasn’t aged in 30 years.His role isn’t huge - but it’s important and pivotal. In the fantasy bubble Jasmine continues to inhabit -even though she is nearly destitute -Dice-Clay’s character brings that imaginary world to an end. But he does it in such a way-as if he doesn’t have nor want to waste one minute longer in her presence. In a scene that lasts mere a couple minutes - his tangible feel of bitterness, sadness and contempt are realized. No yelling or profanities- a defeat that finally is a cold,stark truth. It’s also the lynchpin that pierces Jasmines fantasy world.As always - Alec Baldwin does nest the role is intended to do- make you REALLY despise him, and that’s before the big reveal.Bobby Cannavale, who strikes me ironically, as a hybrid Andrew Dice Clay & Brad Garrett ( who played Rays brother Robert on “everybody loves Raymond “ like Dice Clay, takes what could be a throw away roll- and injects many unexpected, poignant moments. When he is afraid he’s going to lose Jinger - his macho AF persona melts away- and replaced with the fear of losing her. He delivers a desperate plea, cries real tears- and basically begs her to not give up on them.I’ll mention Peter Skarsgard, because he’s always brings something to a role that - even in this small part- adds a more multidimensional persona. I really would like to see him in some new films-as the lead. As long as it’s not a super hero movie. Gross. And lastly - and unfortunately, Louis CK (mercifully) has a small part - playing a straight up POS. Trying to charm Jinger - filming her head with BS - and finding every word he uttered was just to get her into bed.Never liked CK....he’s not remotely attractive, or ever funny. And since his admission to EXTREMELY inappropriate behavior with his female assistants???! He made plenty of money. Disappearing should be his next and final act.☮️ peace& stay safe