I'd been eagerly anticipating the release of New York, I Love You since seeing its predecessor, Paris, Je T'aime a few years ago. After a long wait for the DVD release, I finally got round to watching the film, which encompasses a series of shorter stories set against the bustling backdrop of New York City. Although it could be argued that a film made entirely of shorts makes it harder to engage with the characters and the stories being told, the beauty of New York, I Love You lies in the continuity which arises from setting each story in the same place; the film is, after all, as much about the relationships the characters have with New York as it is about the relationships which they have with each other. Some of the characters also make repeat appearances in other stories, which is a cohesive lovely touch. My favourite story of the entire film was written and directed by Joshua Marston, and captures beautifully the endearing relationship between elderly couple Abe (Eli Wallach) and Mitzie (Cloris Leachman) as they take a walk to the beach. Another standout short was the one created by Natalie Portman, who also stars in another segment directed by Mira Nair. Portman's film focuses on the relationship between a father (Carlos Acosta) and his daughter, highlighting the issue of family separation and the prejudices faced by single fathers. I won't spoil the end, but suffice it to say it is very touching.One of the more abstract segments was written by the late Anthony Minghella and directed by Shekhar Kapur. Starring Julie Christie, John Hurt and Shia LaBeouf, the piece is beautifully shot and acted, particularly by Christie, who plays a woman who can't help but reminisce about the past. Featuring a stark colour palette, the cinematography perfectly captures the mood of the piece, even if the narrative itself is a little ambiguous. I also really enjoyed some of the funnier shorts, particularly Shunji Iwai's, featuring Orlando Boom and Christina Ricci, which muses upon our interaction (or lack of interaction) in a world saturated with technology.
Overall, I really enjoyed New York, I Love You. If you've visited the city like I have, chances are you'll find the film even more endearing (and, if you're as much of a geek as I am, you'll probably try and play 'spot the location' as you watch.) Even if you haven't been to New York, you're bound to identify with the stories and the characters as they navigate their way through relationships and love in the Empire State. Put simply, New York, I Love You offers a series of portraits which are as diverse, entertaining and charming as the city itself, presents a series of stories in which nothing is as it seems and captures the beauty of everyday life and love in New York City.
Have you seen New York, I Love You? If so, what did you think?
(Image credit: Google.)
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