Review of New York Stories (1989) by Stuart K — 25 Mar 2009

Here's an anthology film, all set within the city of New York, and consisting of 3 short films from 3 of the best directors working at that time. Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Woody Allen.

It's a novel idea, and it does showcase the beauty and colour of the great city. One is very good, one is OK and one is downright hilarious. First off, we start with Scorsese's Life Lessons, which follows the life of tortured painter Lionel Dobie (Nick Nolte), who paints with music playing loud and is having troubles with his former lover Paulette (Rosanna Arquette), who share the same studio appartment.

Coppola's Life Without Zoe, an offbeat fantasy about Zoe (Heather McComb), who lives in a penthouse, and tries to get her seperated parents Claudio (Giancarlo Giannini) and Charlotte (Talia Shire) back together.

And then there's Woody Allen's Oedipus Wrecks, a hilarious comedy about lawyer Sheldon Mills (Woody) who has problems with his mother (Mae Questel) affecting his relationship with Lisa (Mia Farrow), when a magic trick makes her vanish, Sheldon's problems are gone, but not for long!! This is a good anthology of films, each one is not too long and look good visually, (cinematography by Néstor Almendros, Vittorio Storaro and Sven Nykvist), Woody's Jewish mother joke is the best of the 3, Coppola's is the weakest for it's weirdness, Scorsese's is blessed with powerful performances.