Woody Allen: Blue Jasmine (Take IV)

On seeing Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine (2013) a second time, in a separate venue, what drew me in this time was the character of Ginger, Jasmine's sister, impeccably played by Sally Hawkins. Every nuance seems effortless for this British actor, yet her dialogue, quips and movements go a long way toward infusing Blue Jasmine with needed warmth. Even when she mutters a response under her breath, she moves things along, reveals aspects of the social fabric, retains cohesion, even while Jasmine (Cate Blanchett, also wonderful, speaking with high society inflection -- is that an echo of Katharine Hepburn I'm hearing?) battles it out with or about Ginger's "loser" men  Augie (Andrew Dice Clay), Chili (Bobby Cannavale) and Al (Louis C. K.), while trying to find her own way in the world. 

I would never have guessed that Hawkins is British if I hadn't seen her in other films. In An Education (2009), for instance, she plays the wife of the Peter Sarsgaard character, which is especially pertinent here because Sarsgaard pops up again, too, in Blue Jasmine.

In sum, Sally Hawkins serves up a beautiful performance as Ginger, not the easiest job in the world, for sure. As for the details of sisterly dynamics (and sibling connections in general), I'll save that for a future post. 

Today's Rune: Fertility.