Review of All the Vermeers in New York (1992) by Lisa K — 08 Apr 2012

The one thing that seems very constant in all of Jon Jost's films is that they don't concern themselves with plot, at least in the narrative sense, but are rather all about feeling and setting, as well as how these things interact with one and other.

This film is different than his others I have seen in that it takes place in the urban setting of New York city. Jost focuses on the hustle and bustle of the city and how this chaotic state can create a lack of human connection between individuals which breeds loneliness.

A scene which captures this perfectly takes place on the Empire State Building where the stockbroker talks about how insignificant he feels, while Jost's camera focuses on a shot of the cities skyline from above, music becomes louder and louder becoming overwhelming which seems to convey this fast-paced lifestyle which loneliness can inhabit.

While this film is full some beautiful and enigmatic scenes, this was the one film of his where I thought there were a few moments where his wandering camera felt unnecessary and distracting. One particular scene involves the stock broker and french actress talking on a couch where the camera oscillates slowly, panning back and forth between the two of them.

That being said, I was emotionally attached to both these characters for different reasons and Jost has created another fascinating feature; though, this film had to have the least interesting/powerful ending of the films I have seen.