New York, I Love You

Review by RawBeaut

Release Date

16th October 2009

Should I watch this movie?

Oh, the very thought of New York, I Love You conjures a symphony of whispered affections and stolen glances across the city's iconic boroughs, a cinematic tapestry woven with eleven distinct tales of love's intricate dance. While each director brings a commendable touch, crafting narratives that shimmer with potential, there's a delicate truth that the collaborative spirit, though harmonious, often leads to a certain gentle, almost polite, emotional sameness. Yet, like a sudden, breathtaking aria piercing through a quiet night, Shekhar Kapur's segment, penned by the late, poetic Anthony Minghella, blossoms into an exquisitely potent exception, where the enchanting encounter between Julie Christie's luminous opera singer and Shia LaBeouf's intensely soulful bellhop transcends the ordinary. There's an undeniable, almost seductive, melancholy woven into their fleeting connection, an ethereal whisper of mortality that imbues every glance, every touch, with a profound urgency and a heightened, almost forbidden, sensuality. This poignant shadow, both within their story and tragically surrounding its creation, elevates their brief ballet of souls to a truly unforgettable, deeply stirring passion, making it the heart-wrenching jewel of the entire collection.

When a film gathers such a dazzling constellation of talent—Shu Qi, Natalie Portman, Christina Ricci, and Orlando Bloom, among others, gracing the screen with their unique allure—you know you're in for a treat, especially when the narratives intertwine with a seductive complexity reminiscent of Cedric Klapisch’s delightful ‘Paris.’ It’s all about those delicious, unexpected connections, isn't it? Lives brushing against each other, sometimes directly, sometimes with the merest whisper of a shared secret. And the way they crafted this cinematic tapestry? Utterly audacious! Each director was given a mere 48 hours to spin their eight-minute magic before retreating to the editing room, all while the entire spectacle unfolded over a whirlwind eight weeks. But the real stroke of genius, the silken thread weaving it all together, was the eleventh director overseeing those seamless transitions, guided by the charmingly self-reflexive narration of Emilie Ohana’s videographer, whose assignment was to elegantly lasso all those vibrant neighborhoods, diverse characters, and interweaving stories into one irresistible whole. It’s a testament to the fact that when you bring together such exquisite performers and a daring vision, the result is nothing short of captivating, a veritable feast for the senses and the intellect.

Darling, if you're looking for a cinematic confection that's as dazzling as a Fifth Avenue window display, then New York, I Love You is practically a love letter to your inner aesthete, brimming with enough familiar faces and cosmopolitan charm to make your heart do a delightful little flutter. It’s a delectable mosaic, ten interconnected segments each sparkling with multi-cultural urbanity, creating a mostly feel-good menagerie that just sings with possibility, and honestly, Benbihy’s ambition, backed by a privy council of international helmers like Fatih Akin and Mira Nair, is nothing short of audacious. Oh, and can we just talk about Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen gracing the screen together outside the galaxy far, far away? It's simply too cute, a delicious little reunion that makes you wonder about all the beautiful possibilities, and then there's the utterly divine trifecta of Shia LaBeouf, Orlando Bloom, and Rachel Bilson, practically a dream lineup designed to make you swoon – honestly, it’s like they raided my personal fantasy casting list just for this film. It’s a gorgeous parade of talent and urban romance, leaving you utterly sated and perhaps just a little bit smitten with the city, and certainly with its dazzling inhabitants.

Darling, if you're looking for a cinematic confection that's as dazzling as a Fifth Avenue window display, then New York, I Love You is practically a love letter to your inner aesthete, brimming with enough familiar faces and cosmopolitan charm to make your heart do a delightful little flutter. It’s a delectable mosaic, ten interconnected segments each sparkling with multi-cultural urbanity, creating a mostly feel-good menagerie that just sings with possibility, and honestly, Benbihy’s ambition, backed by a privy council of international helmers like Fatih Akin and Mira Nair, is nothing short of audacious. Oh, and can we just talk about Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen gracing the screen together outside the galaxy far, far away? It's simply too cute, a delicious little reunion that makes you wonder about all the beautiful possibilities, and then there's the utterly divine trifecta of Shia LaBeouf, Orlando Bloom, and Rachel Bilson, practically a dream lineup designed to make you swoon – honestly, it’s like they raided my personal fantasy casting list just for this film. It’s a gorgeous parade of talent and urban romance, leaving you utterly sated and perhaps just a little bit smitten with the city, and certainly with its dazzling inhabitants.

Having said that, the film's biggest issue wasn't the concept, but rather its wildly inconsistent execution, feeling less like a curated collection and more like a series of fleeting encounters that never quite committed. What we really got was a whirlwind of charming-ish hook-ups, each one a brief flirtation that barely had time to blush before the next one sashayed in. And let's not even start on those utterly pointless filler scenes, featuring a random videographer who seemed to just appear and film, as if we needed another stranger inserting themselves into our lives. Naturally, with all this structural hopscotch, it was impossible to truly invest your heart into any single storyline – a legitimate complaint, because who has time for that kind of emotional whiplash? But the real heartbreak was how little sense of place was conveyed; sure, we saw the iconic cabs and glamorous restaurants, but the neighborhoods themselves felt like they were just painted-on backdrops, lacking that authentic, gritty sparkle. In the end, the New York presented here felt less like a city passionately adored by a true devotee and more like a glossy postcard sent by someone who just passed through, missing all its specific, beautiful insanity.

Indulge your curiosity, by all means, and let the magnetic pull of those marquee names draw you in, but temper your yearning, for not every star-studded affair truly satisfies beyond the surface shimmer. The poster itself is a tantalizing spread, a veritable who's who of cinematic seduction, each face a promise of unparalleled passion and performance, yet once the lights dim and the narrative unfolds, you might find yourself merely admiring the exquisite packaging rather than truly losing yourself in the depth of its embrace. So go on, take the plunge, but remember, sometimes even the most intoxicating company offers only a fleeting pleasure, leaving you wanting more than it ever truly gave.

Main Cast

Bradley Cooper, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, Anton Yelchin, Hayden Christensen, Orlando Bloom, Irrfan Khan, Rachel Bilson, Chris Cooper, Andy García, Christina Ricci, John Hurt, Cloris Leachman, Robin Wright, Julie Christie, Maggie Q, Ethan Hawke, James Caan, Shu Qi, and Eli Wallach.

Performance

Amidst the cold glitter of diamonds meant for a wedding, Natalie Portman's Rifka is drawn into a conversation with Irrfan Khan's gem merchant, a raw, sexy intimacy blooming between them, more precious than any stone. This lovely exchange, steeped in a gritty honesty, transcends the superficiality of race and gender, forging a connection both profound and heartbreakingly transient, a whisper of what might have been. Yet, even as this tender bond unfolds, Portman's portrayal of Rifka feels strangely cloying and amateurish, a clumsy misstep in a scene brimming with potential for delicate power. Meanwhile, Shia LaBeouf, as the handicapped bellhop, despite a slipping accent, manages to inject a surprising depth and grit into his performance, standing out amongst other merely passable turns. Ultimately, the segment delivers a brief, beautiful glimpse into a connection too fragile and too real to last, leaving behind a bittersweet echo.

Production

Directed by Fatih Akin, Yvan Attal, Randall Balsmeyer, Allen Hughes, Shunji Iwai, Jiang Wen, Shekhar Kapur, Joshua Marston, Mira Nair, Natalie Portman, Brett Ratner. Produced by Emmanuel Benbihy and Marina Grasic

Music & Soundtracks

Music by Tonino Baliardo, Nicholas Britell, Paul Cantelon, Mychael Danna, Ilhan Ersahin, Jack Livesey, Shoji Mitsui, Mark Mothersbaugh, Peter Nashel, Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, Claudia Sarne, Marcelo Zarvos

Run time

1 hour 43 minutes

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