WHEN Cate Blanchett first met her husband, the writer Andrew Upton, she apparently thought him arrogant and he thought her aloof. They then bonded over a late night game of poker and married the following year.

It’s a fine example of preconceived impressions proved wrong.

Talking to the multi-award winning actress, it’s soon evident that this Australian star isn’t one for pretensions.

She talks eloquently about her work, with the confidence and breadth of knowledge of someone who’s devoted a large portion of her life to the theatre.

It’s where she began her career, and she’s focused the last few years of her life as coartistic director and co-CEO of the Sydney Theatre Company with her husband, a role they step down from at the end of this year.

She’s continued to make movies, like Robin Hood, Hanna and The Hobbit series.

Her latest project is Blue Jasmine, written and directed by Woody Allen, a man who’s created many indelible female characters. Blanchett plays Jasmine (or Jeanette, as she was born).

“She was a girl who changed her name at school, so she already had a romanticised version of herself,” says the actress, legs crossed, chin delicately balanced on her hand.

The film introduces the New York socialite shortly after she’s suffered a breakdown triggered by the cataclysmic collapse of her marriage to wealthy financier Hal (Alec Baldwin).

Until that point, Jasmine’s entire identity was wrapped around being an elegant, immaculate and culturally sophisticated woman living the Manhattan high life. Now that’s over, her mental and emotional state is rapidly veering off course.

”I was terrified and excited about accepting the role,”

admits Blanchett, 44. “It was such an incredible opportunity, so complicated, and there was so much to do, so many avenues to explore, her physical, as well as mental state.

”I mean what happens when you take [anti-depressant] Xanax and alcohol?” she says, laughing. “I had a little bit of vodka but I didn’t do the Xanax! But it’s amazing what you can find on YouTube.”

Although Blue Jasmine is less whimsical that Allen’s recent offerings, there some are lighter moments.

Blue Jasmine is released in cinemas tomorrow.