Essay Comparing Desire In Blue Jasmine And A Streetcar Named Desire

Anxiety, mental breakdowns, alcohol and drug abuser, there’s only so much distress someone can tolerate before they go off talking to themselves on the streets. Woody Allen’s famous release of the drama “Blue Jasmine” features best actress of her generation, Cate Blanchett as Jasmine Francis. This Manhattan socialite is forced to live with her downscale adoptive sister Giger (Sally Hawkins) in San Francisco after her million dollar lifestyle fell apart. As an attempt to move on and start a new life she gets a part time job and lies her way through potential love interests.

Blue Jasmine, a modern adaptation of Tennesee Williams' play "A Streetcar Named Desire" based the character of Jasmine French on conflicted Blanche Dubois. Many similarities appear through both movies. Both films present a woman with prosperous aspiration who goes through downfall as she needs the help of her lower middle class sister, who is married to a corrupted bitter man and lives in a cheap home with a low-cost lifestyle. Alcohol was also a big dependence for Jasmine and Blanche as they tried looking passed their degradation. The two woman were so obssesed with their looks, luxury and finding love that they became self-absorbant and narcissistic. Nevertheless Jasmine and Blanche disapprove of their sister’s relationship as they find them “not good enough” for Stella and Ginger. However, one of the major differences between the two storylines is the absence of the flirtatious atmosphere from A Streetcar Named Desire between Blanche and Stanly with Jasmine and Chilli.
Blue Jasmine depicts dark humour throughout the characters to allow the viewers to explore the drama in each character's situation. Cate Blanchett's mesmerizing performance of Jasmine blew me away with her personality change in each