Blue Jasmine Blu-ray review

In Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine, Cate Blanchett plays Jasmine, a woman whose husband Hal (Alec Baldwin) seems on the surface to be quite the catch. He’s an extremely successful businessman and they live a very luxurious lifestyle. That is, until it’s discovered that he’s cheating other people out of their money to get his wealth. Not only that, but he’s cheating on her. The story starts with Jasmine going to her sister Ginger’s to live while she figures out what to do with her life, now that she’s broke and alone. Struggling with depression, she soon realizes she’s going to have to settle for a menial job while studying to be an interior designer. Ginger, played by Sally Hawkins, is extremely tolerant and patient with her sister, considering Hal lost all of her money as well. Not only that, but Jasmine hates Ginger’s new boyfriend, considering him worthy of contempt, which creates tension in Ginger’s life.

The film has numerous flashbacks, and although at times it’s unclear at first whether we’re seeing a scene from the past or present, it soon makes sense and the pieces that explain how Jasmine ended up in her predicament fall into place. It’s hard not to feel sorry for Jasmine, and it’s easy to see why what happened has driven her to the brink of insanity. Both Blanchett and Hawkins have been nominated for Academy and BAFTA awards. The screenplay also has Oscar and BAFTA nods. Blanchett has already won 18 awards from various film festivals and movie organizations around the world, including a Golden Globe for her work in this film. Special features include “Notes from the Red Carpet” and a press conference with Blanchett, Andrew Dice Clay (who plays Ginger’s first husband) and Peter Sarsgaard, who also plays a pivotal role.

Other movies receiving a home release this week include: Captain Phillips, In a World…, Machete Kills, Amsterdam, and Charlie Countryman. ~Alexandra Heilbron