Writer: Sophia Ling

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Watch this if you liked: "Silver Linings Playbook", "Before Midnight", Woody Allen

"Blue Jasmine" is Woody Allen's latest film where he explores a New York socialite's the fall from grace. Woody Allen fans might be wondering whether this film will be Allen's own fall from grace considering his form has always been somewhat erratic. Will this be another undercover hit in the likes of "Midnight In Paris" and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"? Fans will be able to revel in his glory for a little while longer as "Blue Jasmine" is remarkably exquisite and very much affecting.

Allen's storytelling is not just about a New York socialite who has lost all the perks of being the privileged wife of a rich man, it is a story much deeper but at the same time more common than we'd like to admit. Jasmine begins her journey with this delusion of entitlement that comes with a Park Avenue postal code and ends up having to move into her sister's cramped apartment in San Francisco. With little to no survival skills, no money and some very expensive outfits, she needs to build a new life for herself.

Cate Blanchett inhabits the role of Jasmine in what is such a captivating performance that it's no surprise she's already being touted for an Oscar nomination. She manages to put on the mask of Jasmine's sanity and insanity remarkably well as the film progresses to an emotional high. Another notable performance is by Sally Hawkins who plays Jasmine's fun-loving sister Ginger. The two, put together, creates a tension and love that all siblings will understand.

What about the men in this film? Alec Baldwin plays the role of Hal, the cool and suave fraud of a husband to near perfection. Then there's Peter Sarsgaard who plays Dwight, Jasmine's potential love interest that might just save her from living out her life alone. He basically plays the role of hope, a hope that most women will understand.

The beauty of "Blue Jasmine" is that in between all the madness, it has a light and unexpected touch. Allen is no stranger to comedy and he manages to infuse some light hearted moments to ease the tension so audiences will be happy to know that it's not all tragedy and insanity in "Blue Jasmine".

The story of Jasmine is one that many adults will be able to relate to. From the friction and love between siblings, the fear of infidelity, the feeling of hope and hopelessness at the same time, Woody Allen manages to reel us in and tug at the audience's heart strings with a powerful story filled with his quirks.

Cinema Online, 30 September 2013