My Blueberry Nights

Review by Sean Lynch

There is something about My Blueberry Nights that looks and feels quintessentially "Melbourne", despite the fact that its story traverses the varied landscapes of New York, Memphis and Vegas.

The run-down cafes, the soulful music, the sense of anonymity and home meshed into one - sensations which exude from the screen as the warm gush of Blues washes over the audience of the delightful indie flick My Blueberry Nights.

Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai's first foray into English language film follows the fortunes of Elizabeth (Norah Jones), who after having being cheated on and left by her boyfriend, sets out across America to recover - but more importantly - find herself.

She treks across Memphis (she pulls double-duty at a diner by day and a dive-bar at night) where she stands witness to the break down of another pair of troubled lovers (after all, isn't love lost what working in a bar is all about?).

Lizzy then moves on to Nevada where she befriends a sexy hard-up card player and hustler (Natalie Portman) who helps Liz learn "a little bit more about herself"... and hustles her out of a wad of cash to boot.

All the while, Elizabeth is keeping the world up to date by sending through postcards detailing her adventures to the English cafe owner in New York (Jude Law) who helped her through her initial break up with the aid of Blueberry pie.

While the editing can often feel quite clunky, the laid back, jazzy mood is mesmerising at times. You really feel that sense of the warmth of the local bar and cafe's that Liz wanders through - you know the type - where "everybody knows your name".

Norah Jones is excellent as Liz in her screen debut, delivering a performance audiences can empathise and fall in love with. She shares great chemistry with Jude Law (who for once isn't playing a complete sleeze) who is fantastic, despite the fact his character could be considered slightly creepy and somewhat of a stalker. But digress.

There are some moments which do feel a little cheesy and melodramatic, particularly the sequence involving David Strathairn and Rachel Weisz's marriage breakdown, but a superbly charming turn from Natalie Portman more than makes up for any weaknesses.

Much like the blueberry pie in the film, My Blueberry Nights may not be everyones first choice when hitting cinemas (it is only receiving a limited release) - but once you sit down and tuck in - it's surprisingly sweet and comforting.

3.5 out of 5

My Blueberry Nights
Australian release: 11th September, 2008
Official Site: My Blueberry Nights
Cast: Norah Jones, Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz
Director: Wong Kar-Wai