Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Blue Jasmine' & 'Hannah Arendt'
(KCBS) — KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews Woody Allen's newest effort "Blue Jasmine", a drama about a New York socialite (Cate Blanchett) who relocates to San Francisco who must adjust to a working-class environment. Also reviewed; "Hannah Arendt", a biopic about the woman who coined the phrase "the banality of evil" in regards to Nazis following orders.
KCBS Entertainment Reporter Jan Wahl:
Jan Wahl Movie Review: Blue Jasmine (PG-13) & Hannah Arendt (NR)
BLUE JASMINE (PG-13)
This is not Woody Allen's first drama, and from Crimes and Misdemeanors to Sweet and Lowdown, he often mixes drama in with comedy. Once in a while Writer/Director Allen misses, but not enough to have us forget the genius of Annie Hall, Midnight in Paris and so many others.
In Blue Jasmine, we meet a woman in a fragile mental state. She's a fallen New York socialite, coming to San Francisco to live with her sister. Cate Blanchett plays her brilliantly, a woman with everything stripped from her except her obsession with status and class. Blanchett is Oscar worthy as this combination of Blanche DuBrois and Ruth Madoff. Great supporting cast, including Andrew Dice Clay--who knew?!
Four hats.
Related Post: 'Blue Jasmine' Stars On Working With Woody Allen
HANNAH ARENDT (NR)
There are so few movies that illuminate the lives of actual women of accomplishment. This one is the life of the philosopher and political theorist; a woman who reported on the trial in Jerusalem of Adolf Eichmann. Barbara Sukawa portrays Hannah Arendt with passion and determination, even when she is under fire for her belief in the banality of evil. A smart, provocative film. In English and German.
Three hats.
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Home Viewing/DVD: 42 & The Sapphires
You can hear KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl's movie reviews on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM Fridays at 8:53am & 4:53pm.
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