Blue Jasmine - Woody Allen's Latest Movie!

Woody Allen Surpassed our Expectations!

....   The hussies have left their books by their beds. It's October, the nights are drawing in and a night out at the cinema becomes very appealing.

....   Our local cinema, The Forum in Hexham, is inexpensive, comfortable and very well supported. At only £6 per adult, a nice cafe to meet in, limited adverts and free parking it beats a trek into Newcastle on several counts.

....   "Let's go and see the New Woody Allen Film", a Hussie suggests. "Oh no"! came the groans. Is he or any of his wives and girlfriends in it?  No!  the iconic Cate Blanchett has the lead role. Was she there to raise the profile of this film or could this new Woody Allen Script hold its own?   Reviews suggested we should give it a go.

....   We were not disappointed. The film was full on right from the off and as the story unfolded we were quickly sucked into the characters lives.  Cate or Jasmine (Jeanette) arrives penniless at her  adopted sister's house in San Francisco.  Desperate for a place to stay while she attempts to rebuild her life, Jasmine is forced to accept her downgraded surroundings, her sister's downtrodden lifestyle and her unsavoury choice of  'friends'.  Jasmine's very public breakdown was blamed on her cheating, philandering husband, jailed for his fraudulent deals causing her sister to lose her life fortune, ruining his son's lifetime career prospects and, ultimately, catapulting Jasmine into total meltdown!!   Or so we were led to believe!

.....   Jasmine's sister and son blamed Jasmine totally for her denial about the situation, stating she new what was going on but turned a blind eye.  Jasmine wants to revive and continue a life she thought she was dragged away from after being swept off her feet by husband to be, Alec Baldwin.  Desperately grasping at any idea of a career she may be able to achieve but always falling short.

....   The supporting actors play a brilliant part - elevating Jasmine in her role. The contrasts between sisters, husbands and boyfriends make the situations very believable in this entertaining comedy with sad undertones.  Although Woody Allen has a niche following, this film will definitely appeal to a wider audience.

....   A movie that "posed many questions whilst offering no solutions".  The abrupt ending certainly prompted much discussion on the way out!  It seems the higher the social climb the greater the fall! This film has been likened to a Tennessee Williams play - A Streetcar Named Desire.  Looking at the synopsis this certainly rings true, although none of The Hussies have read it. We may note this one for a future read!

....   Whilst waiting in the cafe for hussies to gather we perused the up and coming posters and are going to enjoy a spell at being a film buff. Next film meet will be to see the gorgeous Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips.  Meanwhile Chekhov beckons. Next meet to discuss these short stories will be Thursday 7th November.

 

 

....   Hopefully you'll join us for our book reviews, film reviews and restaurant reviews ....

                                                                                                                                     21st October 2013

Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell

A Typical British Summer - Hotly Debated but a bit of a Washout! 

"After you'd gone, "The hand that first held mine", "The vanishing act of Esme Lennox", "The distance between us"  - all great reads with such evocative writing and powerful observations that we approached Maggie O'Farrell's latest book with great anticipation.  Our excitement was heightened by the prospect of the back drop for this story - that unforgettable British summer of 1976 - and the promise of reliving our warm memories of those long, sunny days.

Without revealing too much about the plot, a man's disappearance prompts his family to reflect on their lives and their upbringing .  The subtext is that early family life profoundly shapes our subsequent choices and relationships but since none of us could empathise with either the characters or their experiences, any revelations fell flat. Indeed,  the whole book was typical of most British summers - rather disappointing.  The characters' seemed to be trapped in the 1950s rather than 70s and many details (eg Aife's personal finances) seemed less than authentic.  Even their names jarred, none of us having ever met a man with a double barrelled first name and all of us becoming dyslexic with Alfie, er Aife.  But O'Farrell's greatest sin, was her lack of magic when it came to conjuring up those glorious, sunny days of 1976.  Aside from some passing references to drought and water bans, there was little to evoke that summer which still smoulders in our hearts.

Only two hussies had the stamina and persistence to plough through the slow opening chapters and make it to an end which didn't seem to justify the effort.   Perhaps the structure mirrored a heatwave with emotions bubbling up whilst the air temperature rises, then dissipating as the pressure drops? Perhaps Maggie O'Farrell's was forced to deliver to her publishers before she was truly ready? Or, perhaps she was courting danger, dabbling with the legendary summer that set the stage for so many of our own back stories?

Maggie O'Farrell did succeed where many have failed  - she stimulated more debate, critique and vitriol than any of the other authors we have reviewed so far.   It would be interesting to know what you think, dear reader?

The venue for our meeting was  Danielle's Bistro in Hexham.  Unlike our book, the meal and surroundings lived up to expectations  - predictably pleasant.  Comfortable ambience, attentive but not intrusive staff,  a solid menu,  reasonable food,  medium prices and no pressure to eat up and leave early.    No thrills here, no fireworks or fancy concoctions.  But a safe choice - guaranteed to satisfy.  Unlike Maggie O'Farell.

Humble apologies, no pictures of the food at Danielle's on this occasion but this photo of Beadnell on the Northumberland Coast, shows where I spent the summer of 1976.  I was getting wet, building dens, playing sardines and hide and seek, and listening to Radio 1 -  Elton John and Kiki Dee, 'Don't go breaking my heart' and David Dundas,  'Jeans On'.  It was the summer of my life!

I was here in August 76 - where were you and what were you doing? 

Our next read is a collection of short stories - at least a classic should be guaranteed to please - fingers crossed!