Comments on: Review: New York, I Love You http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/ Where Cinema is more than just $100 Million productions Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:49:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Hannah Fisher http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-64004 Hannah Fisher Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:52:36 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-64004 I enjoyed this in-depth review, but, after watching it this morning, have been searching for a seemingly unpublished piece of information. I didn't fully understand the Hurt/LaBeouf/Christie segment. I have an inkling that it may have been a past memory revisiting her like an old ghost, but I'm not sure. It seems too. . . unreal for this sort of movie. Can anyone enlighten me, please, to the true meaning or interpretation of this story? I enjoyed this in-depth review, but, after watching it this morning, have been searching for a seemingly unpublished piece of information. I didn’t fully understand the Hurt/LaBeouf/Christie segment. I have an inkling that it may have been a past memory revisiting her like an old ghost, but I’m not sure. It seems too. . . unreal for this sort of movie. Can anyone enlighten me, please, to the true meaning or interpretation of this story?

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-40544 Andrew James Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:16:36 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-40544 Available on DVD today! Available on DVD today!

]]> By: Jonathan B. http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-40441 Jonathan B. Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:06:43 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-40441 The Hurt/Christie/LaBeouf segment, I really enjoyed and I was really impressed by LaBeouf's short performance. The Eli Wallach and Cloris Leachman segment was the one that stuck out the most to me though. Funny, touching, charming. Overall, it didn't nearly have the effect on me that Paris Je’ Taime had. It didn't quite have the magic or the diversity that Paris had either. The Hurt/Christie/LaBeouf segment, I really enjoyed and I was really impressed by LaBeouf’s short performance. The Eli Wallach and Cloris Leachman segment was the one that stuck out the most to me though. Funny, touching, charming.

Overall, it didn’t nearly have the effect on me that Paris Je’ Taime had. It didn’t quite have the magic or the diversity that Paris had either.

]]> By: Bob Turnbull http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36728 Bob Turnbull Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:22:08 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36728 Andrew, here's where I kind of differentiate between the two films...I rewatched Doyle's segment last night after you and Jandy discussed it. I then let it play through the next one as well - Coixet's piece about a man who was about to leave his wife until she told him about her terminal disease. In "Paris", the characters don't actually speak any words and the narrator takes us through the events with a rather detached voice. The emotion comes from the faces and actions of the characters. If it had been in "New York" (at least comparing with the general tone I got from the other stories), the two leads would have talked it all out and spelled out every emotion with help from the soundtrack. I suppose that's not necessarily objectively worse... Andrew, here’s where I kind of differentiate between the two films…I rewatched Doyle’s segment last night after you and Jandy discussed it. I then let it play through the next one as well – Coixet’s piece about a man who was about to leave his wife until she told him about her terminal disease. In “Paris”, the characters don’t actually speak any words and the narrator takes us through the events with a rather detached voice. The emotion comes from the faces and actions of the characters. If it had been in “New York” (at least comparing with the general tone I got from the other stories), the two leads would have talked it all out and spelled out every emotion with help from the soundtrack.

I suppose that’s not necessarily objectively worse…

]]> By: Bob Turnbull http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36727 Bob Turnbull Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:11:01 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36727 I love Doyle's segment. OK, it does stand out a bit from the rest, but I found it funny and he used a lot of visual shorthands to get little things across (ie. she didn't really pull him through the broken window, but it sure gave you an idea how she treats salesmen - especially when they talk about "problems with Oriental hair"). I think it's one of those pieces that is going for a feeling and an idea instead of any kind of narrative sense. For me it worked. But yeah - it is weird... I love Doyle’s segment. OK, it does stand out a bit from the rest, but I found it funny and he used a lot of visual shorthands to get little things across (ie. she didn’t really pull him through the broken window, but it sure gave you an idea how she treats salesmen – especially when they talk about “problems with Oriental hair”).

I think it’s one of those pieces that is going for a feeling and an idea instead of any kind of narrative sense. For me it worked. But yeah – it is weird…

]]> By: Jandy Stone http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36712 Jandy Stone Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:07:29 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36712 I think that's the same one. Chinese woman, hair salon, weird. I think that’s the same one. Chinese woman, hair salon, weird.

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36711 Andrew James Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:41:45 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36711 I would skip the weird one with the Broadway like dancing and the hair salon. It just doesn't make any sense to me and I think the style is amateur. I can't remember what the other one is I would skip. I would skip the weird one with the Broadway like dancing and the hair salon. It just doesn’t make any sense to me and I think the style is amateur. I can’t remember what the other one is I would skip.

]]> By: Jandy Stone http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36708 Jandy Stone Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:11:48 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36708 Andrew, which ones in <i>Paris</i> would you skip? I think the only one I actively didn't like was the Christopher Doyle's "Port de Choisy" sequence (the one with the Chinese woman). Andrew, which ones in Paris would you skip? I think the only one I actively didn’t like was the Christopher Doyle’s “Port de Choisy” sequence (the one with the Chinese woman).

]]> By: Bob Turnbull http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36707 Bob Turnbull Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:11:42 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36707 Maudlin: Extravagantly or excessively sentimental. No, that fits pretty well in spots...Actually you are right - perhaps just a simple "overly sentimental" would've sufficed (I'm exaggerating my reaction a bit to the film I think, because I was so disappointed in it - and when you've let some time go by that just magnifies the feeling). That Kapur segment did certainly stand out - at least from a visual perspective. And Maggie Q could've just stood there for 100 minutes and I think I would've been happy. Actually, that would've been a better film (see there I go again...). Maudlin: Extravagantly or excessively sentimental.

No, that fits pretty well in spots…Actually you are right – perhaps just a simple “overly sentimental” would’ve sufficed (I’m exaggerating my reaction a bit to the film I think, because I was so disappointed in it – and when you’ve let some time go by that just magnifies the feeling).

That Kapur segment did certainly stand out – at least from a visual perspective. And Maggie Q could’ve just stood there for 100 minutes and I think I would’ve been happy. Actually, that would’ve been a better film (see there I go again…).

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36705 Andrew James Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:03:12 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36705 Bob, I don't think "Maudlin" is the right word, but it is definitely showy. But that's what I liked. I loved Ethan Hawke taking it completely over the top (looking at Maggie Q for an extended amount of time isn't exactly punishment either). So yeah, this movie hinges on how much you go along with the performances and the script. And for me, there really wasn't a segment I didn't like; whereas in <em>Paris</em>, there were at least two that I will skip over if I ever watch again. Bob,

I don’t think “Maudlin” is the right word, but it is definitely showy. But that’s what I liked. I loved Ethan Hawke taking it completely over the top (looking at Maggie Q for an extended amount of time isn’t exactly punishment either). So yeah, this movie hinges on how much you go along with the performances and the script. And for me, there really wasn’t a segment I didn’t like; whereas in Paris, there were at least two that I will skip over if I ever watch again.

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36704 Andrew James Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:57:42 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36704 Jandy, absolutely. Paris was far more varied in style and differing in tone. Ranging from the uber-artsy to the quirky to the horrific. New York definitely has different styles but they don't seem to be quite as diverse. As I said in the Cinecast, these stories seem to gel together and are more congealed than in Paris. And I'm not sure if I like that or not but it definitely makes them all more similar in tone. I think the only one that was really different was the Shia LaBeouf/Julie Christie/John Hurt story directed by Shekhar Kapur and interestingly enough written by the late Anthony Minghella. So the answer to your final question is "yes." Jandy, absolutely. Paris was far more varied in style and differing in tone. Ranging from the uber-artsy to the quirky to the horrific. New York definitely has different styles but they don’t seem to be quite as diverse. As I said in the Cinecast, these stories seem to gel together and are more congealed than in Paris. And I’m not sure if I like that or not but it definitely makes them all more similar in tone. I think the only one that was really different was the Shia LaBeouf/Julie Christie/John Hurt story directed by Shekhar Kapur and interestingly enough written by the late Anthony Minghella. So the answer to your final question is “yes.”

]]> By: Bob Turnbull http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36703 Bob Turnbull Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:52:59 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36703 I know I did Jandy - there was a much larger array of stylistic touches to Paris than to New York. I found NY to be less actor-driven than schmaltz-driven (OK, I'm being overly critical...I just remember rolling my eyes a few times in NY). Don't hurt me Andrew...B-) I know I did Jandy – there was a much larger array of stylistic touches to Paris than to New York. I found NY to be less actor-driven than schmaltz-driven (OK, I’m being overly critical…I just remember rolling my eyes a few times in NY).

Don’t hurt me Andrew…B-)

]]> By: Jandy Stone http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36700 Jandy Stone Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:24:31 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36700 It's interesting that you say so much of the film depends on the actors in any given section - for me, each short in <i>Paris, je t'aime</i> had a fairly distinct directorial point of view. But that may be because the caliber of directors seemed higher on the Paris film. On this one I'm like, okay Mira Nair, Shakhar Kapur, oh, Fatih Akin, that's cool...Brett Ratner? But you said his was one of the best, so I'll withhold judgement. <i>Paris</i> had Coens, Coixet, Craven, Natali, Cuaron, Payne, Tykwer, Van Sant... Did you find <i>Paris</i> to be more director-driven as opposed to <i>New York</i> being actor-driven? It’s interesting that you say so much of the film depends on the actors in any given section – for me, each short in Paris, je t’aime had a fairly distinct directorial point of view. But that may be because the caliber of directors seemed higher on the Paris film. On this one I’m like, okay Mira Nair, Shakhar Kapur, oh, Fatih Akin, that’s cool…Brett Ratner? But you said his was one of the best, so I’ll withhold judgement. Paris had Coens, Coixet, Craven, Natali, Cuaron, Payne, Tykwer, Van Sant… Did you find Paris to be more director-driven as opposed to New York being actor-driven?

]]> By: Jonathan B. http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36698 Jonathan B. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:54:38 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36698 <i>Paris Je’ Taime</i> really hit home with me, especially at the point in my life when I watched it. I'm looking forward to this one, especially because of this review. Paris Je’ Taime really hit home with me, especially at the point in my life when I watched it. I’m looking forward to this one, especially because of this review.

]]> By: Bob Turnbull http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36697 Bob Turnbull Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:46:57 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36697 That's a great detailed review Andrew. But... Being one of the grumblers, I have to say that I can't really fathom the notion that this film could possibly get this kind of praise. Let me be clear up front though: - I've only seen the work in progress print from a year ago - I too loved "Paris Je T'Aime" - I love omnibus films in general But the problem that I found with the film (and the reason I didn't think it could be fixed) were the stories and the characters themselves. I didn't see a whole lot of subtlety in the scripting or the plots. Even though it has a very diverse set of directors, I couldn't help thinking that there was a common tendency to go for the maudlin and that made the stories kinda bland for me. I agree that it didn't really take advantage of its location either. To be fair though, I really should see the final version (to be honest, the work in progress print looked like a final version, but they admitted to needing to work on music and other 'post' type activities). It's been a full year since I've seen it and perhaps I'll pick up a different vibe the second time around (with editing, music and pacing changes). I'll try to be open minded, but man, I just don't see how they can save it for me. That’s a great detailed review Andrew. But…

Being one of the grumblers, I have to say that I can’t really fathom the notion that this film could possibly get this kind of praise.

Let me be clear up front though:

- I’ve only seen the work in progress print from a year ago
- I too loved “Paris Je T’Aime”
- I love omnibus films in general

But the problem that I found with the film (and the reason I didn’t think it could be fixed) were the stories and the characters themselves. I didn’t see a whole lot of subtlety in the scripting or the plots. Even though it has a very diverse set of directors, I couldn’t help thinking that there was a common tendency to go for the maudlin and that made the stories kinda bland for me. I agree that it didn’t really take advantage of its location either.

To be fair though, I really should see the final version (to be honest, the work in progress print looked like a final version, but they admitted to needing to work on music and other ‘post’ type activities). It’s been a full year since I’ve seen it and perhaps I’ll pick up a different vibe the second time around (with editing, music and pacing changes).

I’ll try to be open minded, but man, I just don’t see how they can save it for me.

]]> By: Jandy Stone http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36696 Jandy Stone Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:30:23 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36696 It's in theatres here now; not sure how wide the release is, but it's playing at nine cinemas in Los Angeles, which is more than usual for indie releases, actually. It’s in theatres here now; not sure how wide the release is, but it’s playing at nine cinemas in Los Angeles, which is more than usual for indie releases, actually.

]]> By: rot http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36695 rot Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:51:09 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36695 Did this go straight to video or in theaters? I wouldn't mind catching it as I do love New York. Did this go straight to video or in theaters?

I wouldn’t mind catching it as I do love New York.

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36659 Andrew James Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:23:14 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36659 I expressed my thoughts a bit more on the Cinecast as well. But yeah, this movie is great and I don't really understand all the negativity towards it. Needs more gay characters? Can't you say that about just about every movie ever made? Ridiculous. This movie is shot well, acted well, scripted nicely, warm and touching. My girlfriend proclaimed that it's in her top ten of all time after seeing it. I think that's a <em>bit</em> hasty, but it goes to show how great it is. I expressed my thoughts a bit more on the Cinecast as well. But yeah, this movie is great and I don’t really understand all the negativity towards it. Needs more gay characters? Can’t you say that about just about every movie ever made? Ridiculous. This movie is shot well, acted well, scripted nicely, warm and touching. My girlfriend proclaimed that it’s in her top ten of all time after seeing it. I think that’s a bit hasty, but it goes to show how great it is.

]]> By: Ashley http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/03/review-new-york-i-love-you/#comment-36642 Ashley Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:36 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=20792#comment-36642 Thanks for the thoughtful and thorough review, Andrew. Every other review I've read of this film has been a brief sidebar-length story, and several of them have been disappointed by it, specifically mentioning the lack of gay characters, and that most of the actors are white. A valid point most of the time, to be sure, but for some reason it seems to be really nitpicky with this type of film, and I've been looking everywhere for a more detailed report of what ELSE the film offers. I don't think it's open in Toronto yet, but I've been looking forward to it for what seems like forever. Thanks for the thoughtful and thorough review, Andrew. Every other review I’ve read of this film has been a brief sidebar-length story, and several of them have been disappointed by it, specifically mentioning the lack of gay characters, and that most of the actors are white. A valid point most of the time, to be sure, but for some reason it seems to be really nitpicky with this type of film, and I’ve been looking everywhere for a more detailed report of what ELSE the film offers.

I don’t think it’s open in Toronto yet, but I’ve been looking forward to it for what seems like forever.

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