Luke
stu-kicks
CibbuanoNew York, New York
August 24th 2006 03:51
New York, New York (1977)
I'm a pretty big fan of Martin Scorcese and Robert De Niro, so, naturally, I would approach a film like this with some degree of excitement. Fortunately, I was aware that this was one of their weaker efforts, so I was able to watch this not expecting too much. Nonetheless, I was intrigued to see De Niro play a swinging sax player alongside a crooning Ms. Minelli.
This is an odd film. I sat down to watch it expecting some sort of musical or something along those lines, but it soon transpired that this isn't such an easily classifiable film. Around about the halfway mark I actually started to take notes, and from my head poured pages of critical and textual analysis. I couldn't help it, it was like I was back at university again. I'll save you from the brunt of these notes - I don't have the stamina or time to start a thesis now - and give you the lowdown (for the few of you who actually care about this filmic oddity).
'New York, New York' is set in post WW2 New York. Bobby De Niro plays Jimmy, a hustling sax player, and Liza Minelli is his doe-eyed singer (and would-be partner). The film follows their collaboration and relationship, veering from kitsch-ish comedy to near-psychotic drama/realism and, at times, old-school musical. Yes, this is a frighteningly uneven film. But...! Is this deliberate?
So, I can't say I completely enjoyed it. Some of the earlier scenes made me laugh, especially De Niro's chatting up of Minelli, but it kind of lost me after there. I did, however, get something out of it. It made me think a lot. In thematic terms it's a kind of sequel to 'Taxi Driver', there's a rich vein of comment through both. If I was to say what this film was about, then I'd have to say that it was continuing a theme of filmic fiction vs. reality. This is something that is touched on in 'Taxi Driver', on an almost subliminal level, but here it is taken as far as it can (in Scorcese terms) and I have a strong feeling that this is what drives 'New York, New York' completely and that this is wholly the reason why it is what it is, and why it's 'unevenness' can't be tampered with. For that, I can't really criticise the film, because it says what it want's to say. I can't go into it too much here in fear of typing for the rest of the year, but it's something I may return to in an article or something. Anyway, check it out if you're interested in that sort of thing, otherwise I'd tell most people not to bother.
TRIVIA: It's rumoured that Scorcese and Minelli were romantically involved during the filming of 'New York, New York'. Also, watch out for the scene in the Harlem night-club, where an African-American woman sings a song - that was De Niro's wife.
| 96 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I have hard time discerning whether I love or hate New York, new York. Either way its well worth a screening, escpecially for Scorsese fans.
I think that Bob Fosse's All That Jazz covers similar ground in a far more satisfying if not dizzying way.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Haven't seen All That Jazz, but then again I haven't seen Cabaret either.
hahaha... is there any movie you HAVEN'T seen John Doe?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I still havent got my paws on a copy of Orson Welles The Magnificent Ambersons yet, thats one I havent seen.
In all seriousness there are loads of films I havent seen.
But most of the good ones I have made it my mission over the last 30 years to find and view.
Yes, I have a serious problem, my obsession rules my life. I have spent more time in movie land than I have in reality during my years on earth.
Shame about the fact just about every cent I earn goes on satisfying my jones.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
But work and other stuff got in the way in the last year or so and I've hardly watched anything lately... but I'm slowly getting back into the habit. I've got a big backlog of DVDs to get through.