1991: the year in music

Well, I wasn't going to do another so soon, but my friend V, sent his best of 1991 through and I realised I had so much music I loved that year I had to write another piece!

1991 was a GREAT year for music, I was 20, going out a LOT, and finally having a full time job so I could afford lots of concerts and CDs! Yes CDs were a thing by now...still loved my vinyl though!

Really 1991 was the year of Nirvana! Though Nevermind was released late in 1991, so I guess 1992 could also be the year of Nirvana. Smells like Teen Spirit kicked A then and it still does, it has hardly dated in all these years. Stunning! Whilst that and Come As You Are were excellent tracks and hits, my favourites were Polly and Lithium. I recently watched Dave Grohl's Sound City, about the famed Sound City Studios in LA were Nevermind (and many other amazing albums) was recorded, and got to hear a lot of stories about it's making.

Whilst I loved that album, still do, for me 1991 was the year of REM. REM were a band I loved, but the release of Out of Time pushed them to worship status. I played and played that album, which you could with CDs. Not scratches, no wearing out of cassettes, no getting up to change sides, you could loop it forever! Favourite songs were Radio Song and Me In Honey. The hits were Shiny, Happy People and Losing My Religion, though both were overplayed on the radio...sigh. Though the Sesame Street version, Shiny, Happy Monsters is a bit cute!

 

Another juggernaut was released at the end of 1991 and that was U2's Achtung Baby. Produced by the wonderful Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois and Steve Lilywhite this album was perfect rock and changed U2's direction and style. Bono had credibility back then, even in leather trousers and those fabulous sunglasses - all sunglasses bought by me since are a version on those babies! Achtung Baby has the instant classic, One, and the big hits of Even Better Than The Real Thing and Mysterious Ways. Other favourites are Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses and Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World.

On the Australian scene the big album (for me anyway) was Crowded House's Woodface. It saw brother Tim join the band and gave us a number of hits. My favourites being Fall At Your Feet, Weather With You and Four Seasons In One Day.

Other big hits for the year were:

Enter Sandman - Metallica
I really like Metallica. Go check out their movie, Some Kind of Monster, which I love. Sandman rocks, has great rhythm, and a spooky spoken word section!

Black or White - Michael Jackson
First single off the Dangerous album. Very catchy, race related song with a ground breaking video.

Give It Away - Red hot Chili Peppers
From the great Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Under the Bridge was the big hit, but I loved this the best. Great mix of rock/funk. And the craziest film clip!!

Treaty - Yothu Yindi
Great dance track and a fabulous lesson in politics and indigenous culture.

Gett Off/Cream - Prince
From his 13th album, Diamonds and Pearls, Prince released these chart topping, sexy dance numbers. The following year I saw him live and my mind was blown!! He still ranks as the best live act I have ever seen (seen him twice) and whilst many come close, I doubt anyone will ever knock him off.

Something To Talk About - Bonnie Raitt
The fabulous Bonnie Raitt finally found fame in the early 90s, this great rocking track comes from her Grammy Award winning album, Luck of the Draw.

Don't let the Sun Go Down on Me - Elton John and George Michael.
A live recording from George's concert in Wembley Stadium, the song went on to become a massive hit all over again. I really love the fragility of this and whilst always loved the song anyway, hold this version close to my heart. Love it when the crowd goes wild at Elton's arrival! Also, how many romantic duets between two men do you know? Yeah, let that sink in for a bit...

The Australian Music Scene was also doing great, especially with indie releases, here are some of my favourites:

By My Side - INXS
From the X album, this beautiful tune was one of the songs played at Michael's funeral.

Miss Freelove '69 - Hoodoo Gurus
From the album Kinky, this is a great free spirited 60s style tune. Hoodoo Gurus are my favourite Australian band, and their debut album, Stoneage Romeos, one of my all time favourite albums. I have seen Hoodoo Gurus more times than any other band, I can't tell you how many times...a lot! I probably could write a book about these concerts/exploits, lol!

Labour of Love - Frente
Whirled, Frente's Debt EP was released with this as the single, I loved their harmonies. They went on to become bigger than Ben Hur and a tad annoying, but I still appreciate their smaller pieces. They re-released this again 1994 after they had fame, this version is from then.

D.C - Died Pretty
The magnificent Doughboy Hollow was released this year and it and the big single, D.C. and it's follow up, Sweetheart, still remains favourites.

If A Vow - The Hummingbirds
Loved this, great melodic pop!

Jennifer - Falling Joys
So many amazing female singers/led bands in Australia in the early 90s...what happened?? This is an early single, laid back rock I think I'd call it, their better known hits are still a good year away.

Soul Eater/Hieronymous - The Clouds
No list of 1991 would be complete without The Clouds. Soul eater was released earlier in the year on their Loot EP, followed by the wonderful Penny Century album with Hieronymous being released as a single later in the year. I really loved this band, but they just never really made it big. This could be said for quite a few bands in the early 90s, they had it all, yet somehow it just didn't happen. I personally think they were ahead of their time.

Other tunes of 1991 include:
Sexuality by Billy Bragg, Happy and Trust by Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Right here, right now by Jesus Jones, Unfinished Symphony by Massive Attack, Size of a Cow by The Wonder Stuff, More than Words, by Extreme, Dancin' by Chris Isaak, and Things that make you go mmm by C & C Music Factory.

I also loved:

Rush by Big Audio Dynamite II
Loved BAD and saw them when they toured with U2, closest I'd ever get to The Clash! This is a funky, loopy song that doesn't take itself too seriously! Not everything is singing you know! Rhythm and Melody!!

Monsters and Angels by Voice of the Beehive
This is another band I had forgotten but loved. They did a rocked up version of I Think I Love You too! The lead singers were sisters with amazing voices! The album was called Honey Lingers...rather apt!

Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn
I do love this, and I think it was an instant classic. Great melody and clear piano, it packed a punch, referenced Elvis and Graceland. I have to say, this song played over and over in my head when I was in Memphis and it is fitting. The song, not only describes what Memphis is really like but the feel of the song is just perfect. I also like the Joe Cocker feel about halfway through.

 

September Round Up

Well, September started pretty ordinarily with all the political kerfuffle but ended great with a mini break to Burleigh Heads!

 

I really need to review my 42 things in terms of what I haven't done, but I find it much nicer to accentuate the positives!

 

5. Read more of my own books. I tend to purchase these, but they get pushed aside for books I bring home from work

Yes! See Books read below.

 

15. Spend more time outdoors and less time indoors

Yes, lots of walks after work and spent most of my Queensland holiday outside. I've also been watching a couple of families of ducks with ducklings at Green Point.

  

17. Mini breaks to my favourite places - Melbourne (not been since 2011!!), The Blue Mountains, Mid North Coast, and try new ones

I had the loveliest mini break, when my sister A and I flew into Coolangatta to spend a long weekend with our other sister, K and her family. They were holidaying at Burleigh Heads, much like we did as kids. We arrived early Thursday and had a relaxed day of pool lazing, shopping, the beach, and a lovely walk to the North Burleigh Surf Club for a seafood dinner. Friday we headed to Sea World as Miss C turned 6 and she wanted to see the penguins. We got there a little after opening, and waited roughly an hour to get in. It was hot and there were a lot of people, it made the day a little rough, but we managed. Miss C loved the penguins, Mr 10 tried out some rides but looked decidedly grey after disembarking the corkscrew roller coaster. I'm not a ride person, so I enjoyed the animal and people watching. Miss C wanted pizza for her birthday dinner, so we tried a local  gourmet pizza place, the pulled pork, scallops and cashew pizza was delicious. Saturday was a little overcast which made for a more pleasant day, weather wise, at Dreamworld, Mr 10's early birthday choice. There is much more to do there, we got there early and it was really quiet. Miss 6 surprised us all by just being tall enough to go on most of the rides and showed not the tiniest bit of fear on any of them, with awesome and again being the top words of the day. Sunday was a bit more laid back, with a sleep in, some Putt Putt golf and a visit to Sizzler for lunch before flying home.

 

 

 

 

19. Eat and drink out more/20. Get through my list of local restaurants and cafes

I finally checked out Three Bean at Hamilton for lunch to celebrate M's birthday, we had a leisurely long lunch and I was rather impressed. L scored us an early look in at the new High Tea setup at Wests, New Lambton and we drowned our election sorrows on champagne and delicacies. I joined A & L at Quint Cafe for another lovely lunch. We also checked out MoneyPenny, a new cocktail place on Honeysuckle.

23. Spend more time with my niece and nephew

Did lots of that while I was away in Queensland.

 

33. Go to lots of fun social events

I attended the two amazing gallery openings. The first was the Now and Then Photography Exhibition at The Lovett Gallery. And the following week, the After Five, Darnell Collection Opening at Newcastle Art Gallery. Later in the month we checked out Parking Day at Darby Street, which was a lot of fun. I celebrated V's birthday with N & K at Bolton Point for afternoon tea and a fabulous BBQ for Father's Day. As always our Bibliotweeps Book Club met at Talulahs.

34. Make sure those that mean the most to me know that they do

Between birthday celebrations for friends, Father's Day, family events and assisting friends in need...I think I have been sharing the love around this month!

 

36. Take time to do nothing and daydream more often

As always I take the opportunity on my walks to incorporate photography and chill out spots, great for the soul.

DVDs watched

I watched a trio of french films, The Well Digger's Daughter, Women on the 6th floor and Father of my children. They were all really good, but the stand out was The Well Digger's Daughter, which was the directorial debut of my beloved Daniel Auteuil. He starred as the father of the daughter who gets swept up in a romance with a wealthy young man prior to the war. It was based on a story by Marcel Pagnol, which I found fitting as Auteuil became famous staring in two Pagnol films, Jean de Florette and Manon of the Spring. I loved those films and this one has a similar feel and stunning cinematography.

I was blown away by Soderburgh's Side Effects, a twisty and turning thriller with Jude Law, Catherine Zeta Jones, Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum. This is a must see psychological thriller. I also was quite taken with Margaret about a teenage girl, Anna Paquin, who witnesses a life changing event and the aftermath of it. A post 9/11 film, this was held over from being released for a long time, I saw the directors cut, which is long and at times rough going, but really worth it. It is a character piece and Paquin is stunning.

The best two films I saw were Dave Grohl's Sound City and Julie Delpy's Skylab.  Sound City is about a famous recording studio in LA, and the amazing bands that cut their records there. If it were not for Sound City Fleetwood Mac as we know them today would not exist, nor would Nevermind, the album. This is an absolute must for music fans, it gave me goosebumps. I've always been a huge fan of Julie Delpy, as an actress and director. Skylab is about a family get together over a long weekend on a sprawling property in the French countryside. It is based on Julie's childhood, and Julie plays her own mother. The family are mesmerising and ecclectic. It has the best 'disco' scene I have seen in a long time, and features some great scenes with the children of the family. This is a must see French film.

I also saw a few episodes of Tim Rogers's Studio at the Memo. It's a Cabaret style TV show, with a whole range of musical styles and hosted by Tim. He acts the role of a charming bon vivant very well. The first episode had Tex Perkins, Dave Graney, Todd McKenney, Virginia Gay and Baby et Lulu, so you get the picture.

I finally caught up with the first season of The Newsroom and I'm sold. I saw the first episode on the plane last year, but had not gotten around to the series. I have always loved Jeff Daniels, since The Purple Rose of Cairo, and he is fabulous as the hard hitting anchor, Will McAvoy, of News Night, a cable news show. The show is very Aaron Sorkin, political, controversial, walk and talk action with personal relationships thrown in. The supporting cast are superb, with standouts being Olivia Munn as Sloan, the sexy yet awkward economist, Alison Pill as Maggie, the earnest associate producer juggling her job with a range of personal issues, and Sam Waterson as Charlie Skinner, the news division president. Add in Jane Fonda in a small, but recurring role as Leona Lansing, owner of the media company that oversees the show and it's simply wow! Can't wait to devour Season 2.

Movies
The French Friday Film was La fille coupee en deux which translates to girl cut in half, and about a young weather girl who 'loves' two very different men, both much wealthier than her, one her age with a few issues and the other an older man, a writer. This is a very French film but was a little cliched in parts, fabulous sets and costumes, the storyline left a little to be desired!

I also saw Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine and the fabulous Frances Ha:

Both reviews can be seen here:

http://www.reviews-vyv.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/movie-review-blue-jasmine.html

http://www.reviews-vyv.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/movie-review-frances-ha.html

Books Read
We read Marieke Hardy's You'll be sorry when I'm dead for Bibliotweeps Book Club. I had read it before, but enjoyed it as much as the first read. Some stories are very funny and well written, some a little bit too 'look at me' and some are rather confronting. It's an interesting memoir, and gave us a range of topics to discuss.

I have listened to two talking books. The first was, Stardust by Neil Gaiman and read by Neil Gaiman. I think by now everyone knows my love of Neil Gaiman, I love this story, and hearing him read it in his hypnotically sexy reading voice almost caused a few accidents whilst driving I must say! Stardust is an adult fairy tale, paying homage to The Princess Bride, and started as a graphic novel, then regular novel and movie. It is on the surface a sweet love story about a young man looking for and finding a fallen star and their magical relationship, but it is also quite dark and rather sexy in parts. He is a gifted wordsmith and to hear him read with his own nuances as intended was a delight. 

The other was The Art Forger by B. A Shapiro. The Art Forger is fiction and set in the art world of Boston, with varying threads of storyline. There is Claire a renown forger of paintings but specialising in Degas. She has a murky past that is revealed as the book proceeds and is asked to copy a painting that could be one of the many paintings stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I am a huge fan of Art Crime - yes sadly this is a genre and a true genre at that. The heist mentioned in this fictional book happened back in 1990 and I have read a lot about it. I really enjoyed this interesting angle of what may have happened. There were times it needed a better editor and the reader was a little annoying, but ultimately this was an excellent ride!! 

I loved Grace: a memoir by Grace Coddington, 70 year old fashion editor for American Vogue and ex British model. Anyone who follows proper fashion or has seen the documentary The September Issue will know Grace. She is very outspoken, and is a true maverick, if that word can be used in such a vacuous vocation. It was a great read that follows her rise and rise in the fashion world and is full of her delightful illustrations. A true role model!

I took away with me to Qld, Venice is a fish: a sensual guide by Tiziano Scarpa and Life at the Marmont: the inside story of Hollywood's legendary hotel of the stars, Chateau Marmont by Raymond  Sarlot and Fred E Basten. Venice is a fish was superb, a small book written by a young man who has lived in Venice his entire life. Rather than write a regular travel story of you must do this, he describes his city as he knows it. Each chapter is divided up into a body part, his philosophy being your entire being is taken over when visiting the city. Having been there, I totally agree. His prose is poetic and rhythmic and incredibly sensual. I could have devoured this book in one city, but I spaced it out taking in a chapter at a time and found myself back in that glorious city...sublime! Chateau Marmont was the perfect holiday book, lots of gossip and outrageous stories of the goings on at the famous hotel in LA from the moment it was built in the 20s until now. 

MUSIC
Not much of a musical month, my go to album has been Nick Cave's Lyre of Orpheus which I adore.

OTHER
The other excitement of the month was my favourite customer/borrower Doug (96) being featured in an ABC Open video. The talented and wonderful A, filmed Doug in our library and attending our 500 Words Online Writing Group and the results are brilliant, so much so it will be shown on ABC TV in October and November!

You can view the video here:

http://vimeo.com/73748380

 

1990: the year in music

A friend is working on his favourite songs of each year. He emailed me 1990 last week, it took me back. I always spend a bit of time looking around for my favourites to add to his list.

I felt compelled to write about them today, cause 1990 took me back!!!

I am sure there are many more I have forgotten, but jeez, it was a long time ago...I was 19!!!!

They are in no particular order.

Hold On - Wilson Phillips
I loved this song when it first came out, but it was played SOOOOO much. They had great voices, beautiful harmonies. But really, given their pedigree, did we expect anything else? It took some time for me to love this song again - this is why I never listen to commercial radio anymore, they screw with songs you love - but I do...unashamedly.

Tomorrow Wendy - Andy Prieboy
I had forgotten this song even existed until I saw it on a list, and it entered my head like it had never left...I love how music does that to you. It also features the chick from Concrete Blonde. It's a great song!

The Ship Song - Nick Cave
One of my all-time favourite songs, I could listen to this forever, it's perfection.

Been caught stealing - Jane's Addiction
This song kicks arse and holds up really well. Love it's stop/start rhythm. And the video is a hoot!

RATCAT - I believe they were a thing...someone told me ;) I had tickets to see them, but never actually got there. The night started early with Karaoke at the Blackbutt, it took a looong time to show my face back there. It may have involved a Troggs song! And I don't do creamy cocktails anymore!

Birdhouse in your soul - They might be giants
I do love TMBG, this is my favourite song of theirs, it's beautiful and joyous. I love their joy.

Vogue - Madonna
Back when she was cool!

"Greta Garbo and Monroe, Dietrich and Di Maggio, Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean, on the cover of a magazine..." I love a good spoken word section in a song, it's my thing!

Strike a pose!

Down in splendour - Straightjacket Fits
Love this, it's melancholy and sublime.

I'll be your baby tonight - Robert Palmer and UB40
Using their mix of reggae and class, they breathed new life into Bob! I do miss the suave Robert Palmer, was always in love with him!

Falling - Julee Cruise
Who could forget the summer of Twin Peaks, and the hypnotising soundtrack by Julee Cruise.

Nothing compares to you - Sinead O'Connor
Written by Prince and an instant classic, not just because of that momentous and heartbreaking filmclip. Oh Sinead, how I worshipped you. Meanwhile Prince released his Graffitti Bridge soundtrack with Thieves in the temple being my stand out.

Suicide Blonde - INXS and Better the devil you know - Kylie
They go hand in hand really!!!

Groove is in the heart - Dee-Lite
This is my favourite dance song of all time, I am chair dancing as I type!

I loved this song so much I had 'cards' printed at Darling Harbour with my name and Groove Instructor on them. At 19 you can get away with shit like that! I still occasionally use the phrase, eyebrows are usually raised...I don't care!

'We're going to dance and have some fun'

Oh yes we are, Groove IS in the heart!

Bust a move - Young MC
Ok, this comes a close second!

Love shack/Roam - The B-52s
I do prefer the earlier stuff, but these were great and brought my faves to the attention of a whole new generation.

Candy - Iggy and Kate Pierson
Kate (B-52s) was very busy in 1990. Iggy never hotter!

Fight the power - Public Enemy
An earlier version was used the year before on the soundtrack of Do the Right Thing) giving the song and the film instant classic status.

Oh yeah, did you know Chuck D has retweeted and favourite a tweet of mine!!

1990 was also the year of:
Doing the Do with Betty Boo, which I did love, yeah, yeah, take a number!
Milli Vanilla - I still have the cassette...say no more
Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice - I hated this at the time, but grew to 'appreciate' it
U can't touch this - MC Hammer, I hated that I loved this, still love it but don't hate myself anymore, it's a classic, no doubt about it!

I hung out at the Cambridge, and danced to these songs wearing all black: bike pants (WTF! When Demi Moore wore them to a fashion thing I knew my jig was up!) and fishnet stockings, docs or boxing boots (I did not box), a bra and see through gauze or knit top...oh my!!! I cannot remember if I started my fake beauty spot then, but it sounds about right. I was growing my hair out from a bob, cause everyone had them. I may have looked (or thought I looked) like I had attitude but I was total dork underneath. I may have photos, but who needs to be depressed by the young and thin!

Free Falling - Tom Petty
From the opening clear guitar lines, to those classic first lines, you just know you are listening to a song that will stand the test of time. This has...a favourite then and a favourite now.

"She's a good girl, she's crazy about Elvis"

Do you have a favourite song from 1990????

 

MOVIE REVIEW: Frances Ha

I wasn't immediately sold on Noah Bambauch as a director, as I found The Squid and The Whale excruciating, but I guess that was the point. Margot at the Wedding warmed me a little, but Greenberg sold me and also showed me Greta Gerwig for the first time, a natural, she shone beside Ben Stiller's bleak Greenberg. Gerwig really reminded me of Chloe Sevigny's character in Walt Stillman's brilliant, The last Days of Disco. So I wasn't surprised when she turned up as the lead in his first film in 13 years, Damsels in Distress! She is a light yet goofy presence on screen, a little off kilter yet earnest, her Lola in the fabulous anti-romance, Lola Versus is a testament to that.

 

But onto Frances Ha, Gerwig is Frances, a twenty something living in New York with her bestie, Sophie (played with awkward beauty by Mickey Sumner, daughter of one Gordon Sumner!). Frances is a dancer...sort of, desperately trying to make her way into a prestigious dance company with moderate results. When Sophie announces she is moving to a funkier part of New York that Frances can't afford, Frances is left homeless and bereft. Her love of Sophie is supreme and without her best friend in almost every moment of her life, she is shattered. Frances moves from place to place, trying to find her own place in this big city and make her way as a dancer. Yes, there are shades of Girls and Hannah Horvath here, especially when Adam Driver turns up in the mid section of the film.

 

 

Frances is big on the dreams, but possibly less on the ability, but she just doesn't seem to know or care, and that is what makes this film just wonderful. Frances is a dreamer, and just keeps on blundering through regardless. Her ability to pick herself up again and again after each wrong turn or disappointment, and her tenacity to do it with heart and a skip in her step, made my own heart soar. 

 

The black and white cinematography adds to the charm of this film, so much so you simply forget there is no colour. I am unsure why Bambauch did this, possibly a homage to Woody Allen's Manhattan, and New York (and Paris) certainly look great in black and white. And then there's the soundtrack, a fabulous mix of classical and instrumental alongside poppy hits such as David Bowie's Modern Love, Hot Chocolate's Every 1's a winner and The Rolling Stones's Rocks Off...yes there was much dancing in our seats!

 

 

But it's Gerwig's clumsy sweetness that shines through, along with a great back drop of New York (and Paris) and a large supporting cast of small parts, and makes this the feel good movie of the year. It's feel good without being soppy or silly. It's funny without being bawdy or ridiculous. It's sublime and joyous! Movies like this are indeed a rarity, go now and see this gem, you won't be sorry. But be warned, you will fall in love with Frances and indeed Greta Gerwig herself.

 

 

MOVIE REVIEW: Blue Jasmine

Disclosure: I lurve the films of Woody Allen, he is my favourite modern director. Even his lesser films have something loveable in them. His new film, Blue Jasmine, will go down as one of his greats, yet it is a different experience to films previously directed by him. He is re-inventing himself seemingly with each new location and Blue Jasmine, set in San Francisco, is no exception. Whilst Cate Blanchett's Jasmine is a nervy, self deprecating character as we have come to expect from his films, and there is a lot of angst in Blue Jasmine, the Allenesque traits end there. 

 

Blue Jasmine is more drama than comedy and when the comic moments occur, and they do, they are more black humour. His trademark music and styling is there along with great writing and perfect casting, but I think Blue Jasmine will appear more broadly to people than many movies in the past decade. Mostly, this is due to the stupendous performance of Cate Blanchett. Much has been made of this performance already, and I am unsure why people seem so astounded, Blanchett is a supremely talented actress, and with a juicy part such as this, there was no way she could have failed. Everyone has already compared the role and indeed parts of the film to Streetcar named Desire, it's very obvious it is a homage of sorts. I also saw shades of Judy Davis in parts of the performance and like everyone else who has seen it has sing Blanchetts praises.

 

 

To recap, Jasmine (Blanchett) was a New York socialite, married to hedge fund businessman, Hal (Alec Baldwin), but when he is arrested for fraud, she is left without a home, money and indeed her life as she knew it. With nowhere to go, she flies (first class with her Louis Vuitton) to San Francisco to stay with her sister, Ginger (Sally Hawkins), and her 2 young boys. Ginger is the exact opposite of Jasmine, and they haven't spoken for a while, yet loves her sister and takes her in. This is much to the dismay of Ginger's boyfriend, Chili (Bobby Cannavale), who was hoping to move in with her.

 

As superb as Blanchett is, I don't think the movie would have worked without the precise casting of the supporting cast. This is something Allen, along with longtime casting director, Juliet Taylor, almost always gets right. Sally Hawkins shines as Ginger and holds her own with Blanchett, at times even outshining her. I first saw Hawkins, in Mike Leigh's outstanding, Happy-Go-Lucky, which she won a stack of awards for. Her bubbly personality, literally shines in most roles, and this is no exception. Her Ginger is the perfect foil to Jasmine. 

 

 

Bobby Cannavale, one of my favourite actors since I saw him in the perfect The Station Agent, is compelling as Chili, Ginger's brutish, dare I saw Stanley Kowalskiesque boyfriend. Augie (Andrew Dice Clay) and Al (Louis CK) round out the other men in Ginger's life, in small but pivotal roles. Dr Flicker (Michael Stuhlbarg) and Dwight (Peter Sarsgaard) are the men in Jasmine's 'new' life. These men are representative of the lives the sisters lead and their (or rather Jasmine's) desperation to 'better' themselves.

 

Whilst we witness Jasmine heading towards complete breakdown in her new surroundings - having to work, survive on no money, and try and fit into a society she used to ignore in New York - we see flash back sequences of New York and how things unfolded in that situation. This is where Allen really succeeds, there are twists you just don't see coming, and the storyline is much more complex, yet cut and dry, than you originally thought. Is it a tale of be careful what you wish for, or be careful who you tread upon, or is it a depiction of a woman spiraling out of control into seemingly madness? Or does it just show the roundabouts of life if you don't take time to really see what your actions can influence? Blue Jasmine offers a lot of questions, but let's you think about the answers, very much like life I guess.

 

I didn't love or even enjoy Blue Jasmine the way I loved Midnight in Paris, it is not that kind of film. It is the kind of film that pushes you a little out of your comfort zone, makes you think a whole range of things, and those thoughts remain in you head for many days and weeks after the experience. That, is an example of a very fine film indeed. Blue Jasmine is one of the must see films of the year.