Review of New York Stories (1989) by Scott C — 07 Mar 2013

Description: ''New York Stories is a 1989 anthology film; it consists of three shorts, with the central theme being New York City. The first, by Martin Scorsese, is about a painter who creates his works helped by high volume music and an attractive assistant; second, by Francis Ford Coppola, is about a rich and bold 12 year old who helps her separated parents to reconciliate; third, by Woody Allen, is a witty piece of comedy about the impossibility of getting rid of the son's role.''.

Martin Scorsese's ''Life Lessons'':

The best of the 3 shorts. Loosely based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's short novel ''The Gambler,'' so the source material is a wise choice. It's great technically: camera panning, close-ups, slow motions, quick cuts... he packs it all in there (when it starts, it doesn't say whose short it is, but you never have a doubt in your mind once you see that camera move... classic Scorsese). Excellent use of music too. Nolte and Rosanna Arquette deliver great performances, but Nolte plays an obsessive creep which I couldn't relate to, so I was more sympathetic towards Arquette's character. The ending was pretty good, in a disturbing kind of way: Arquette escapes, but Nolte finds another mouse to prey on. It leaves you thinking: How long has he been sustaining his obsession and possession of women, manipulating them for his own benefit? A solid short about a tortured man's imprisonment in art. (4.5/5).

Francis Ford Coppola's ''Life Without Zoe'':

Easily the worst of the 3. A goofy little girl's story. It says written by Francis & Sofia Coppola, but it felt more like written by Sofia... she would of been 18 at that time, and it plays out like something an 18 year old amateur would write. Dull story, horrible acting and uninspired direction. I was just praying for the punishment to cease. It's all the more horrendous because it comes right after that great Scorsese short. I recommend skipping this one completely and moving on to Woody Allen's piece. (0.5/5).

Woody Allen's: ''Oedipus Wrecks'':

Funny and imaginative, but kinda disappointing. I initially thought it was going to be fantastic, with Woody exploring the life fact that while parents (or mothers in particular) can be a pain in the ass, when they disappear from your life, you're really going to miss them. But Woody didn't go for that. Instead he focuses on mothers only liking daughters-in-law that are similar to them? Eh. Great acting and soundtrack in this one, though. (4/5).

Overall, I'll have to give this a weighted score of 3/5 stars, but definitely see it for Scorsese's short and less enthusiastically, Woody's.