Marva
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
ComedyFan2010
It is not surprising considering who is the director, but the movie is very masterfully done. It shows disturbing life situation, broken people, makes one think.The highlight of it all is Cate Blanchette's acting. I don't know if she got any awards for this movie but I surely hope so. She showed the deep character of Jasmine. She is not one of the people one wants to have in one's life but one gets her pain and can sympathize. She sure is a snob, she thinks she can get what she wants when trying, but she also is a snob not seeing that people who are different aren't necessarily bad and losers. Add to this her nervous breakdown and we have an amazing character.The rest also adds a lot to the film. It is hard not to love Ginger (Sally Hawkins) and her choice in man actually seems to be healthier no matter how poor they are. Bobby Cannavale is a perfect Chili who we are happy she ends up with. Having his bad sides he is still a decent guy who loves Ginger and isn't just using her. His happy character is also a great contrast to snobs.Nice to see Andrew Dice Clay and Louis C. K. being outside their usual comedy selves and they do a great job. Especially Andrew Dice Clay. Alec Baldwin doesn't get the chance to show all his talents but we still see what kind of a man he is supposed to portray.
jvandepol
It's what you can expect from a Woody Allen movie. The thing that maybe makes this movie worth while is the superb acting of the lead characters. But other than that, the movie is predictably depressing in its attempt to portray the struggles of a middle aged woman who has hit rock bottom after a failed marriage. Without spoiling the plot, the ending is classically Woody Allen too, completely random.
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.
