We meet Janette, now calling herself Jasmine as she arrives at her Sisters house, where she will be staying for a while. Things are not exactly going well for Jasmine, as she struggles to pick up the pieces of her life following something of a personal disaster.
With the aid of flashbacks we are able to see what life was like for Jasmine, when her husband was successful, and they were very wealthy and lived a life that so many could only dream of, including her own family, who she keeps very much at arms length, even when paying a small visit. Jasmine has more than money problems, she is dillusional, and strikes up a conversation with herself. She has aspirations of getting back on top, but achieving this may not be easy.
Ginger, her sister, is happy to have her sister with her, despite all that Jasmine and her husband have cost, money and ultimately her marriage. In fact her current relationship with grease monkey Chilli is in jeopardy thanks to Jasmine, and trying to inspire Ginger that she can do so much better.
The class story told between the two sisters is brilliantly done. Jasmine acting so high and mighty when she has the money, and more or less disowning her Sister and husband. But then when the fortune has gone, she has to lower her standards, trrying her best to bounce back, finding a menial job working in a Dentist, hoping to find a new man for her new life.
As ever the Direction and Writing from Allen are great, and he makes the most of his first class cast. Cannavale is great as Chilli, desperate to show Ginger that she does not need to better herself, and that she is fine just the way she is.
Sally Hawkins gives another great performance as Ginger, and Alec Baldwin, who is almost becoming an Allen regular, excels as the slimy husband of Jasmine.
But undoubtedly the star of the film is Cate Blanchett who gives some of her best work as Jasmine, whether loving the life of luxury or on the edge of a breakdown as she talks at length with herself or sees her relationship drift away, she really is on top form. It has already been suggested that she is a certainty for an Oscar nomination, and I would go along with that too.
Anyone expecting a full on comedy like "Bullets Over Broadway" "Manhatten Murder Mystery" or "Small Time Crooks" may be disappointed, as it is light on laughs, but the exploration of the characters is what makes this another highly rated Allen film.
Allen can still cut the mustard.....7 out of 10
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