Review of New York, I Love You (2008) by Monika B — 20 Mar 2011

I think it's interesting that the most cosmopolitan city in the world produces an homage that is actually less inclusive than the one created by Paris, a far more homogeneous city. This isn't to say this is a bad movie; it's just far less engaging, interesting, beautiful or sincere than Paris J'e Taime. What works: Maggie Q, Julie Christie, Qi Shu, Cloris Leachman and Elli Wallach in particular standout - with Leachman and Wallach's part being the strongest.

The standout weakest is the opening skit with Hayden Christensen and Rachel Bilson both proving they can't act very well; and it doesnt help that they are in a segment with some blitzingly awful dialogue.

Orlando Bloom also proves weak - in a James Franco like part. Natalie Portman is beautiful but wooden and appearances by Blake Lively and Justin Bartha are oddly shoe-horned in.

This is all in an overall picture "quite nice" but when looked at against the body of works presented in Paris' counterpart, feels lackluster and heartless.