Film review: Blue Jasmine (12A)

Forced to move in with her sister Ginger (Sally Hawkins), Jasmine is compelled to seek ‘menial work’ as a secretary in the office of dentist Dr Flicker (Michael Stuhlbarg) where she meets a handsome diplomat called Dwight (Peter Sarsgaard), who has excellent prospects.

Distinguished by Blanchett’s raw and bleakly funny performance, Blue Jasmine is one of Allen’s best films on US soil for some time .

Allen’s script is studded with pithy turns of phrase – ‘never trust doctors, they put both my parents in early graves,’ – and Blanchett’s performance makes her a strong contender for next year’s Oscars.