散步的魚
如果要在當(dāng)今世界的電影藝術(shù)家中找出一位城市電影的代表,那一定非伍迪·艾倫莫屬。在伍迪·艾倫的影像世界里,對(duì)城市的描繪仿佛是他永恒的主題。他熱愛(ài)城市,迷戀城市,也嘲笑城市;他解析構(gòu)建于城市之上的生活,描繪那些旅居于城市之中的人們;他用自己的方式嘲弄政治、文化、藝術(shù)、上流社會(huì)……他是一個(gè)生活的旁觀者,一個(gè)絕妙的諷刺大師,一個(gè)將悲劇與喜劇完美糅合的偉大藝術(shù)家。
繼在《午夜巴黎》(Midnight in Paris)和《愛(ài)在羅馬》(To Rome with Love)中對(duì)歐洲城市進(jìn)行了一番浪漫抒情之后,伍迪·艾倫將視野重新轉(zhuǎn)回至他最熟悉的美國(guó)本土。這一部《藍(lán)色茉莉》(Blue Jasmine)的故事在浮華性感的紐約和氣息迷人的舊金山兩座城市緩緩鋪開(kāi),伍迪·艾倫繼續(xù)用他那旁觀者的姿態(tài)不急不慢地為我們講述瑣碎的都市生活,將一段悲喜交加又充滿寓意的雙城故事呈現(xiàn)給我們。
嬌艷的生活
影片的主人公是一個(gè)美麗的女人,她曾叫Jeanette,后來(lái)給自己改名為Jasmine。她在大學(xué)畢業(yè)的前一年嫁給了英俊迷人的富商Hal,住進(jìn)了紐約最豪華的第五大道,過(guò)起了讓人艷羨的奢華生活。婚后的Jasmine非常幸福,丈夫?qū)λ龑檺?ài)有加,她與繼子Danny也相處得不錯(cuò)。Jasmine的身邊聚集著紐約上層社會(huì)的人們,她的生活被各式各樣的浮華宴會(huì)和昂貴的奢侈品所填滿,出身平凡的她在上流社會(huì)的生活中修煉得高貴優(yōu)雅,在家庭生活和社交中更是游刃有余。她喜歡向人們提起她與丈夫的初次相遇,當(dāng)時(shí)正播放著一首名為“Blue Moon”的歌曲,那成為她向人們昭示甜蜜愛(ài)情和幸福生活的一種方式。
Jasmine的妹妹Ginger和丈夫Augie從舊金山趕至紐約,與許久不見(jiàn)的姐姐相聚,隨即被姐姐華麗的生活所震驚。Jasmine和Ginger從小被同一家人收養(yǎng),但長(zhǎng)大后Jasmine嫁入豪門,Ginger則居于社會(huì)底層,過(guò)著普通人的生活。當(dāng)妹妹帶著粗俗的丈夫來(lái)到紐約時(shí),Jasmine盡管不情愿,但還是硬著頭皮接待了他們。Ginger和Augie因中彩票發(fā)了一筆20萬(wàn)美元的橫財(cái),缺乏投資經(jīng)驗(yàn)的兩人不知道如何運(yùn)用這筆資金,于是向Jasmine和Hal征詢建議。出于好意,Jasmine提議將這筆錢投入丈夫的酒店項(xiàng)目,以獲得更好的收益,而Hal也欣然接受。
在Jasmine的安排下,Ginger和Augie在紐約度過(guò)了幾天美好的時(shí)光。然而,有一次Ginger卻無(wú)意中看到Hal與一個(gè)陌生女人在街頭親熱。她嘗試提醒Jasmine,但Jasmine卻表現(xiàn)得自信滿滿,毫不在意。Ginger內(nèi)心糾結(jié)不已,不知道要不要把真相告訴姐姐,但理智讓她壓抑住了脫口而出的沖動(dòng),她只能對(duì)丈夫Augie說(shuō)出了自己的擔(dān)憂。
Ginger: If you saw your friends wife kissing another guy, would you tell your friend? Would you tell him?
Augie: Yeah, bet your ass Id tell him.
Ginger: But what if you tell him and it causes trouble? Or maybe a divorce? But if you dont say anything, it couldve been a passing thing. He never knows, and he lives on happy with his wife.
Augie: You know, I would tell him, because thats what a friends for. You gotta have his back (支持他). Thats why Id tell him.
Ginger: Its a tough call, Augie. I dont know.
Jasmine的生活看起來(lái)堅(jiān)不可摧,其實(shí)早已危機(jī)四伏,而她卻渾然不覺(jué)。她就像一株開(kāi)在懸崖邊上的花朵,高昂著頭顱,驕傲地迎著溫暖的陽(yáng)光,享受著嬌艷的生活,卻不曾低頭看一眼腳下的深淵。那潛伏的危機(jī)和黑暗也正昂著頭,隨時(shí)準(zhǔn)備吞沒(méi)她。
破碎的驕傲
人生無(wú)常,Hal因?yàn)樯虡I(yè)詐騙罪被捕入獄,并在獄中結(jié)束了自己的生命。兒子Danny承受不了父親是詐騙犯的事實(shí),憤而從哈佛輟學(xué),離開(kāi)了家。忽然之間,Jasmine變得一貧如洗,她搬出了第五大道,卻連布魯克林的房租也支付不起。她一度精神崩潰,變得憂郁且神經(jīng)質(zhì),時(shí)常自言自語(yǔ),需要服用大量的鎮(zhèn)定藥物以緩解情緒。不得已,無(wú)依無(wú)靠的Jasmine只好孤身離開(kāi)紐約,去舊金山投靠妹妹Ginger,準(zhǔn)備重新開(kāi)始自己的生活。
在從紐約去往舊金山的飛機(jī)上,Jasmine對(duì)著鄰座的老太太喋喋不休地談?wù)撟约旱男腋H松两谝讶黄扑榈纳钣洃浝?。她提起與Hal的初次相遇,當(dāng)時(shí)正播放著“Blue Moon”這首歌。她的話細(xì)碎而多,令人生厭,讓傾聽(tīng)者迫不及待地想要逃離。
Ginger因Hal入獄而備受牽連,投入的金錢都化作了泡影,她與Augie的婚姻也走到了盡頭。面對(duì)陷入人生谷底的姐姐,Ginger并沒(méi)有責(zé)怪她,而是熱情地接納了她。然而,Ginger發(fā)現(xiàn)Jasmine盡管變得一貧如洗,卻仍然衣著光鮮,出手闊綽,還保持著有錢人的習(xí)慣。
Jasmine: Oh, the flight was bumpy (顛簸的). I didnt eat anything on the plane. Oh, the food was awful. Here it is. I mean, youd think first class, right?
Ginger: You flew first class?
Jasmine: I dont know how anyone puts up with those airlines at all.
Ginger: Isnt first class a fortune?
Jasmine: Yes, I was quite shocked.
Ginger: I thought you were tapped out (破產(chǎn),沒(méi)錢).
Jasmine: Im worse than tapped out, baby. Ive run up some serious debts.
Ginger: So how did you fly first class?
Jasmine: I dont know, Ginger. I just did.
Ginger: All I meant was, if youve got no money to go first class ...
Jasmine: You know me. I splurge (揮霍) from habit. Would you stop staring at my luggage? Yes, its Louis Vuitton.
Ginger: Only because you just told me you had to sell everything.
Jasmine: Look, look, look. These are used, old suitcases. See, with my initials. Whod want them? You know, I sold what jewels and furs I could hide from Uncle Sam. Oh God, I hate to tell you about that rude awakening. The jewelry is so priceless and such a great investment when you buy it at Graff or Van Cleef until youre desperate for money and youre forced to sell, and then it seems you cant give it away.
面對(duì)Ginger的質(zhì)疑,Jasmine顯得非常暴躁和不耐煩,認(rèn)為自己所做的一切都理所當(dāng)然。為了讓Jasmine盡快地融入舊金山的新生活,Ginger將姐姐介紹給自己的男友Chili和他的朋友Eddie。Jasmine對(duì)粗俗的Chili和其貌不揚(yáng)的Eddie沒(méi)有任何好感,更不想融入他們的圈子。而他們喋喋不休的追問(wèn)和對(duì)Jasmine生活無(wú)休止的窺探更令她厭惡至極。不僅如此,Chili還熱情地向Jasmine轉(zhuǎn)達(dá)了Eddie的愛(ài)慕之情,令Jasmine感到十分難堪。一回到家,Jasmine便向Ginger表達(dá)了自己對(duì)Chili的輕蔑。
Ginger: What do you think of Chili?
Jasmine: Well, hes certainly very anxious to move in with you.
Ginger: Yeah, I know. Hes got the hots for me.
Jasmine: Can I speak frankly?
Ginger: You hate him?
Jasmine: Yeah.
Ginger: I could tell you two didnt hit it off (合得來(lái)).
Jasmine: Hes another version of Augie. Hes a loser.
Ginger: Hey, didnt I hear Eddie say he knows a dentist looking for help?
Jasmine: Oh, forget it! Jesus, its too menial (不體面的)! Id go nuts. I wanna go back to school. I wanna get my degree and become, you know, something substantial. I cant just do some mindless job.
Ginger試圖給姐姐介紹牙醫(yī)診所的助理工作,Jasmine卻對(duì)這種“低級(jí)”的工作嗤之以鼻,一心想要回學(xué)校完成自己的學(xué)業(yè)。盡管Jasmine已經(jīng)狼狽地退出了上流社會(huì),但她仍然時(shí)時(shí)保持著她的驕傲,包括對(duì)妹妹居高臨下的姿態(tài)。曾經(jīng),她給了自己一個(gè)浪漫優(yōu)雅的名字,用美麗敲開(kāi)了另一個(gè)世界的大門,過(guò)上了夢(mèng)寐以求的生活?,F(xiàn)在,她被迫退回到原來(lái)的世界,盡管內(nèi)心排斥,卻不得不屈居于此??伤齾s無(wú)法忘記曾經(jīng)擁有的生活,無(wú)法拋棄那個(gè)浮華世界的一切,更無(wú)法放低她的驕傲姿態(tài)。而對(duì)此時(shí)的Jasmine來(lái)說(shuō),那樣的姿態(tài)已經(jīng)不合時(shí)宜,顯得滑稽可笑。盡管如此,保持驕傲卻是她維護(hù)自尊的一種方式,也是她與曾經(jīng)的生活保持某種關(guān)聯(lián)的一種方式,因?yàn)槌似扑榈尿湴?,她已?jīng)一無(wú)所有。
重建的人生
無(wú)論如何,日子畢竟還要繼續(xù)。為了重建生活,Jasmine下定決心改變自己。她突發(fā)奇想,決定做一名室內(nèi)設(shè)計(jì)師。為此,Jasmine參加了電腦培訓(xùn)課程,還放下自尊接受了Eddie推薦的牙醫(yī)診所的助理工作,生活仿佛掀開(kāi)了嶄新的一頁(yè)。然而,一切進(jìn)展得并不如愿。Jasmine完全聽(tīng)不懂那些沉悶的電腦課程,枯燥無(wú)趣的助理工作也令她生厭。一切都?jí)旱盟贿^(guò)氣來(lái),原本已經(jīng)緊繃的神經(jīng)如今變得更加緊張。牙醫(yī)診所的醫(yī)生對(duì)Jasmine產(chǎn)生了好感,時(shí)常用言語(yǔ)挑逗她。在醫(yī)生對(duì)她又一次進(jìn)行騷擾之后,Jasmine終于忍無(wú)可忍,憤而離開(kāi)診所。
Jasmine對(duì)生活再度失望,但她隨即有了新主意,希望通過(guò)認(rèn)識(shí)一些新朋友來(lái)改變自己的處境。此時(shí),一起學(xué)習(xí)電腦的同學(xué)邀請(qǐng)她參加一場(chǎng)周末派對(duì)。Jasmine接受了邀請(qǐng),并帶著Ginger一同前往。這場(chǎng)派對(duì)成為Jasmine人生的另一個(gè)轉(zhuǎn)機(jī)。在派對(duì)上,她結(jié)識(shí)了英俊瀟灑、前途無(wú)量的單身男人Dwight,兩人一見(jiàn)如故,緣分頃刻間從天而降。
Jasmine: And what do you do?
Dwight: Nothing as glamorous as womans fashion. I work in the State Department.
Jasmine: Well, no, thats … thats glamorous.
Dwight: In the diplomatic corps (團(tuán)體,隊(duì)).
Jasmine: Dont tell me youre an ambassador.
Dwight: No, hardly. But I wouldnt turn it down.
Jasmine: We knew the ambassador to Mexico. My husband did.
Dwight: Your husband? You have a husband?
Jasmine: No, no. Sadly, like your wife, he passed away. But you know, we stayed overnight in the embassy in Mexico once.
Dwight: I work in Europe. Vienna mostly.
Jasmine: Really? Oh, I love Vienna.
Dwight: Oh, yeah?
Jasmine: We were there once, Hal and I. I remember it as being two weeks of young wine and chocolate cake.
Dwight: It is lovely. My real ambition is to come back after a few years and enter politics. Id like to run for office in California.
Jasmine: Oh, how exciting.
Dwight: Yeah, it might just be an inflated ego, but I think Id make a good congressman. I grew up in San Francisco. I know California. I like challenges. You from out here?
Jasmine: New York. Park Avenue. You know, when my husband passed away, I mean, naturally I was very upset, so I decided to come out here and start a new life for myself.
Dwight: What did he do?
Jasmine: He was a surgeon.
Dwight: Hm. God, that must be incredibly stressful.
Jasmine: No. I mean, he had a heart attack. Im sure thats what gave it to him.
Dwight:You have children?
Jasmine: No, no, no. There really wasnt time.
Dwight: And what about you? Hm? What do you do? I guessed you were in the arts. Am I right?
Jasmine: Well, youre close. I am an interior designer.
回到熟悉的場(chǎng)合,Jasmine立即變得如魚得水,連她的謊話和矯揉造作的姿態(tài)都顯得那么自然。曾經(jīng),她的美貌和聰慧是她打開(kāi)上流社會(huì)的鑰匙;而現(xiàn)在,她的優(yōu)雅姿態(tài)、名貴服飾和虛假謊言讓她重新敲響了那個(gè)世界的大門。無(wú)論那個(gè)浮華世界多么虛偽冷酷,她都急于回歸。她已經(jīng)習(xí)慣從那個(gè)世界汲取生命的能量,粉飾人生的缺憾,回歸那里是她對(duì)未來(lái)人生的所有希望。
Ginger在派對(duì)上也有自己的收獲,她結(jié)識(shí)了有著紳士風(fēng)度的音響師Al,兩人隨即打得火熱?;蛟S每個(gè)人都對(duì)更高一級(jí)的生活充滿了向往。當(dāng)其貌不揚(yáng)的Eddie托Chili向Jasmine示愛(ài),當(dāng)猥瑣的診所牙醫(yī)撲向美麗高貴的Jasmine,誰(shuí)說(shuō)他們不是從她身上看到了某個(gè)他們所向往卻夠不著的世界的影子呢?從上流社會(huì)而來(lái)的Jasmine身上仿佛蘊(yùn)藏著那個(gè)世界的秘密,不管他們?nèi)绾慰创齁asmine,不屑一顧或是嗤之以鼻,卻都無(wú)法掩飾對(duì)她持有的好奇心和某種窺探的欲望。而當(dāng)生活中略顯愚鈍的Ginger有機(jī)會(huì)結(jié)識(shí)一個(gè)可能改變她命運(yùn)的男人時(shí),她也立即陷入一段狂熱的關(guān)系中。誰(shuí)說(shuō)這不是另一種生活在向她召喚?在這之前,如果說(shuō)伍迪·艾倫只是給了虛偽的上流社會(huì)一記耳光,那此時(shí),他便惡作劇般地將所有人都嘲弄了一把。每一個(gè)階層都做著相同的夢(mèng),每一個(gè)人都有虛偽與貪念。在這里,伍迪·艾倫將所有的溫情面紗都撕裂開(kāi)來(lái),將每一種生活形態(tài)都打得粉碎。
跌落的花朵
從派對(duì)回家之后,Jasmine急切地等著Dwight的電話,也等著她熟悉的世界向她敞開(kāi)懷抱,她已經(jīng)迫不及待地想要飛奔過(guò)去。Ginger的生活也發(fā)生了重大轉(zhuǎn)變,她立即拋棄了已經(jīng)與她談婚論嫁的Chili。悲憤交加的Chili上門理論,幾乎對(duì)Ginger大打出手,并將所有責(zé)任都?xì)w到虛榮的Jasmine身上。
Jasmine終于等到了Dwight的電話,兩人再次相見(jiàn)之后便陷入了熱戀。Dwight的一切都令她著迷,他讓她看到了璀璨生活的希望。終于有一天,Dwight向Jasmine求婚,邀請(qǐng)她進(jìn)入他的生活,并為她勾畫了未來(lái)生活的美好圖景。一切突如其來(lái),又仿佛等待了許久。Jasmine終于用她的方式贏得了自己的未來(lái),盡管這一切都建構(gòu)在虛假的謊言之上。她又變成了那株開(kāi)在懸崖邊的艷麗花朵,驕傲地昂起頭,望向天空。
Ginger的人生也漸漸走向了與之前不同的方向。Al的浪漫多情和溫柔體貼俘獲了她的心,無(wú)論Chili如何百般哀求,都無(wú)法喚回她的心意。可惜好景不長(zhǎng),Ginger很快發(fā)現(xiàn)Al原來(lái)是有婦之夫,這讓她失落至極。生活在某一刻向她敞開(kāi)了另一扇門,但她只是往那個(gè)繁華世界瞥了一眼,走了一圈,便被打回原形。那里并不屬于她。
Jasmine的新生活也遭遇了挫折。就在她與Dwight去買結(jié)婚戒指的途中,她遇到了Ginger的前夫Augie。落魄的Augie一直對(duì)損失的20萬(wàn)美金耿耿于懷,在街頭怒斥Jasmine。
Jasmine: Congratulations. Ginger said you got a new job up in Alaska.
Augie: I couldve had my own contracting company if it wasnt for you and that crook (騙子) you married.
Jasmine: I dont think its the time and place to get into this.
Augie: Oh, really? You think I wanna lay oil pipe way the hell up there in Alaska? I got no money.
Jasmine: Christ, Augie, cant you put this behind you and move on? Ive moved on.
Dwight: Take it easy. I dont know who you are …
Augie: Right, you dont, so stay out of it. I saw your son. Yeah, thats right, Danny. Remember him? Lives across the bridge in Oakland; works at a music store. Antonios. Hes doing pretty good. Hes married. I think hes finally over Hals suicide.
Jasmine: Dannys in Oakland?
Augie: Let me tell you something, Jeanette, Jasmine, whatever it is you call yourself these days. Some people, they dont put things behind so easily.
Dwight在旁邊聽(tīng)到這一切,才知道Jasmine之前所說(shuō)的前夫病逝、沒(méi)有孩子的話都是謊言。知道真相的他怒不可遏,與Jasmine大吵了一架,從此消失。Jasmine去Augie提及的樂(lè)器店找到了繼子Danny,Danny則對(duì)她非常冷淡,道出了她揭發(fā)父親并導(dǎo)致父親被捕及自殺的真相。原來(lái),當(dāng)Jasmine得知丈夫愛(ài)上了別的女人并決定離自己而去之后,惱羞成怒的她立即舉報(bào)了Hal,這直接導(dǎo)致丈夫被捕并在獄中自縊,也因此摧毀了Danny的人生。再次相逢,Danny已經(jīng)開(kāi)始了自己的新生活,不愿再與過(guò)去有任何瓜葛。
如果說(shuō)Augie的話揭穿了Jasmine的謊言,敲碎了她用虛假重建的未來(lái),那么Danny的話則直接粉碎了她搖搖欲墜的精神世界,讓她重新直面那段痛苦的經(jīng)歷。原來(lái)她才是破碎生活的制造者,是她自己導(dǎo)致了所有悲劇的發(fā)生。她用謊言欺騙別人,也蒙蔽自己,而現(xiàn)在真相就在眼前,她再難掩飾,無(wú)處可逃。
失魂落魄的Jasmine回到家。此時(shí),Ginger已經(jīng)同Chili合好,兩人變得更加恩愛(ài)。Ginger在陌生的世界里碰壁之后,本能地回到原有的生活,回到Chili粗魯卻安全的懷抱里。這是她所熟悉的世界,真實(shí)而溫暖。她在這個(gè)世界汲取養(yǎng)分,獲得生活的力量。當(dāng)神經(jīng)質(zhì)的Jasmine像往常一樣對(duì)Ginger橫加指責(zé)時(shí),Ginger這次卻奮起反抗,激烈地回應(yīng)了她。Ginger不再忍氣吞聲,不再委曲求全,不再唯Jasmine馬首是瞻。不能說(shuō)她看透了上流社會(huì)的虛偽,或許她只是看到了自己與那個(gè)世界的格格不入,于是對(duì)生活妥協(xié),開(kāi)始努力維護(hù)她目前擁有的一切。
Jasmine高昂著頭,驕傲地告訴Ginger自己將與Dwight開(kāi)始美好的新生活,隨后默默地走出了家門。就像電影的開(kāi)頭,她又開(kāi)始碎碎念,像個(gè)瘋子一樣坐在街頭的長(zhǎng)凳上自言自語(yǔ)。驀然間,她仿佛聽(tīng)到了“Bule Moon”的浪漫旋律在耳邊回響,但她已記不清歌詞了,曾經(jīng)的生活已離得太遠(yuǎn)。她終于從懸崖跌落,落入無(wú)止境的黑暗之中,面臨粉身碎骨的命運(yùn),或是等待某個(gè)人來(lái)接住她。誰(shuí)知道呢?人生變幻莫測(cè),誰(shuí)知道黑暗之后的世界是黑暗還是光明?電影沒(méi)有給出答案,因?yàn)樯畋揪蜎](méi)有答案。但總有一種方式或一條路能讓人繼續(xù)向前走,最終與生活和解,與所在的世界達(dá)成默契。在人生的千萬(wàn)種可能之中,Jasmine的未來(lái)依然充滿了變數(shù),而伍迪·艾倫鏡頭中的城市則有寫不完的故事。
相比《午夜巴黎》中的浪漫和反思,《愛(ài)在羅馬》中的詼諧和幽默,這一部《藍(lán)色茉莉》顯得較為殘酷,悲劇意味更濃,諷刺意義也更深刻。導(dǎo)演伍迪·艾倫從頭到尾都采取旁觀者的姿態(tài),讓一段彌漫著悲傷又充滿了諷刺的生活自然地展現(xiàn)。而觀眾也一并淪為了旁觀者,甚至是窺探者,共同觀望城市中隱匿的角落,窺探別人的生活和內(nèi)心世界。影片中裸露的人性便是我們隱藏的內(nèi)心。誰(shuí)說(shuō)伍迪·艾倫在嘲諷電影中人物和生存狀態(tài)的同時(shí),不是將自己和觀眾也嘲笑了一把?