Blue Jasmine

A tour de force performance by the magnetic, luminous and all round brilliant Cate Blanchett! She is the star and the main attraction of Woody Allen's newest picture, eclipsing even Allen himself who wrote and directed this modern day satire of American consumerism, materialism and self-absorption. Blanchett draws your attention from the moment she appears on screen all decked out in luxe, and as we shifts forwards and backwards in time, her attire, poise, mannerisms, graces all changes in and out of flux; she goes raw, un-made up and connects with a deep, ugly part of every human being and brings it out untainted, naked and fresh. How she managed to tap into those moments to bring such a complex character out and enthralls us is a marvel of unrivaled acting that we seldom see. This is her Oscar to lose (thus far). Allen has scripted a more darkly comic satire this time round compared to his odes to Europe, and shifting from NYC and SF, to bring us a comedy that is steeped in Morality and Tragedy. He effectively toys with our perspectives and our own moral compass, juggling our moral judgments throughout the 98 minutes and playing with our sympathies for both Blanchett's and Sally Hawkins' characters. The other 3 main supporting actors: Hawkins, Bobby Canavale and Alec Baldwin are sadly over-shone by Blanchett, and although they, especially Hawkins, do hold their own, when they are not sharing the screen with her. Like all his recent previous films, Allen's directing style is constant and has not changed which serves his script very well. But in the end, the show starts and ends with the gorgeous, even in her worst state, and astounding Cate Blanchett. Perhaps, justice for "Elizabeth" will finally be served.