Review of New York, I Love You (2008) by Ryan D — 30 May 2010

Well, I have to say I was right. This one isn't nearly as great as Paris Je T'aime. The main problem with almost every piece is the writing, which is probably why the best directors dropped out of this project.

The pieces I thought were nearly perfect were the one with Shia LeBeouf (written by Anthony Minghella) and Orlando Bloom. The one written by Anthony Minghella was finally one that had a twist, but an interesting story before it and is worth going back to watch.

Orlando Bloom's had an interesting shooting style and I was surprised to find myself so connected with the lead character and his interest over the phone. Notable mentions are Ethan Hawke and the father/daughter piece (surprisingly directed by Natalie Portman).

Ethan Hawke's was directed by Yvan Attal, which was the main reason why I wanted to see New York, I Love You, and it's funny and entertaining but he could have done more with it. I felt like he went "funny twist!" then it was over.

The piece that Natalie Portman directed was so heartfelt that I could ignore the fact that she stole the switching of the eye from The United States of Leland and the dancing scene in the end was a little disconnected.

The transitions from character to character was a way for the New York version to set itself apart, but it doesn't do it well. I loved the way Paris Je T'aime didn't have any connections to the characters other than the city itself.

But this film also isn't about love as much, rather, as Ebert put it, in a way where I'm shaking my finger going "oh, New York." Now for the negative, and I won't go too far into this because there were too many things wrong with the other pieces.

The first one had a cinematographer who seemed like he had never held a camera before. Whenever a character moved the shot would quickly go out of focus. The editors must have had a fun time trying to not make it noticeable.

The acting was truly awful from Hayden Christensen. We see that sex without love plays a big part in New York. Let me say, I have never been one to be impressed by Bradley Cooper, and this movie hasn't changed my mind about him.

Talentless. Finally he just throws it out there and his character is just about sex, and it's the most pointless piece of the movie. Then we have Anton Yelchin, who we think could have a good part since everything has a sentimental feel to it, but in the end he's just a jerk who is superficial, and the director seems to think that's all right.

I know what I've been told, it's hard for me to like something with a character who has flaws and is a jerk, but this movie doesn't even try to make connections with those characters. They are just awful human beings.

I'd recommend a watch just for the four that were good, and the others just push the fast forward button.