Blue Jasmine

Dysfunction and Woody Allen. It kinda goes together like bread and butter or hot dogs and beans. Woody Allen has basically succeeded on his ability to bring very dysfunctional characters, including himself in many cases, to the screen for the past 46 years, which amazingly boggles the brain. We now have another film about, you guessed it, dysfunctional characters in the form of "Blue Jasmine".

After her marriage to a wealthy businessman, Hal (Alec Baldwin) collapses due to shady deals, New York socialite Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) flees to San Francisco and the modest apartment of her sister, Ginger (Sally Hawkins). Although she's in a fragile emotional state, totally self-absorbed, and lacks job skills, Jasmine still manages to voice her disapproval of Ginger's boyfriend, Chili (Bobby Cannavale). Jasmine begrudgingly takes a job as a receptionist in a dentist office run by Dr. Flicker (Michael Stuhlbarg), while Ginger begins dating Al (Louis C.K.) who's a step up from Chili.

Others to round out the cast are, Andrew Dice Clay as Augie, ex-husband of Ginger, Max Casella as Eddie, buddy of Chili's, Alden Ehrenreich as Danny, son of Hal's, Kathy Tong as Raylene, Tammy Blanchard as Jane, Jasmine's friend, Peter Sarsgaard as Dwight, Daniel Jenks as Matthew, Augie's son, Max Rutherford as Johnny, Augie's son, Annie McNamara as Nora, Jasmine's friend, Charlie Tahan as Young Danny, and Martin Cantu as Ginger's boss.

This was cranked out with effortless ease from veteran writer and director Woody Allen ("Take the Money and Run" '69, "Bananas" '71, "Sleeper" '73, "Annie Hall" '77, "Manhattan" '79, "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" '82, "Broadway Danny Rose" '84, "Hannah and Her Sisters" '86, "Crimes and Misdemeanors" '89, "Manhattan Murder Mystery" '93, "Don't Drink the Water" (TV movie) '94, "Deconstructing Harry" '97, "Sweet and Lowdown" '99, "Small Time Crooks" 2000, "Hollywood Ending" '02, "Melinda and Melinda" '04, "Match Point" '05, "Scoop" '06, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" '08, "Whatever Works" '09, "Midnight in Paris" '11) and many others. Love or leave Allen, he is a consummate writer and director. He cranks out these small films, and has done so for decades, while in the midst of all these high-budgeted, visually packed films that have been favorites for quite some time. Allen produces these modestly budgeted films and basically lets the words he writes speak for themselves, which is something you got to, at least, respect. This film is no different. The nuances he adds to an otherwise common premise has become his trademark. Both he and Blanchett as Jasmine could possibly be up for Oscar nods.

If you're an Allen fan, this is golden Allen, so you will revel, but even if you're not, if you love good writing, directing and acting, this is one of those little gems tucked in the middle of an explosive summer that you will definitely be able to sink your teeth into.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                         Rated: PG-13                        98mins.