New York Stories

You can't really watch NEW YORK STORIES and comment on the film as a whole, because, much like the three directors involved, the three stories that make up the whole are so different and have specific value in their own right. What you can do is applaud the idea, the approach, and the coming together of three big New York filmmakers to entertain and delight the viewer each in their unique way. Segment one is "Life Lessons", starring Nick Nolte and Rosanna Arquette, and directed by Martin Scorsese. It's a superbly acted and tightly directed little film about a cantankerous and love-lorn old abstract painter and his young female "assistant", the object of his rejected affections. Nolte and Arquette play off each with great chemistry (often explosive at that) and the pacing, cinematography and storyline flow easily creating a real sense of the chaotic inner- psychosis behind artist beauty. {It was also really interesting to see the large canvas that is the centre-piece of the film take shape from nothing to a real work of admirable art by the story's end.} 8/ 10 on this one. The second segment, "Life Without Zoe", by Francis Ford Coppola is, to put it frankly, horrible! Unbelievably boring, and so poorly acted that I can only imagine Coppola himself had fallen asleep somewhere in pre-production and was awakened when the film was released sometime the next year. Coppola has a knack for casting young girls with no experience and/or talent in his films (ie., his daughter in GODFATHER III) and Heather McComb as Zoe is no exception. I actually stopped it 10 minutes in and fast- forwarded to the last segment. 1/10, truly pitiful in every regard. The gem of the compilation (and saving grace) comes in the final segment, Woody Allen's hilarious "Oedipus Wrecks". This was laugh-out-loud funny. Allen plays a middle-aged lawyer who's life is made unbearable by his doting/nagging Jewish mother, played brilliantly by Mae Questel. Not only is this the best piece of the three shorts that make up NEW YORK STORIES, but one of the very best of Woody Allen's films, period. The tight interactive delivery between characters that has become so trademark in Allen's films is served up so deliciously again by the likes of Julie Kavner, Mia Farrow, Larry David, and the aforementioned mother & son team. Every facial expression sported by Woody is a gut- buster as well (special mention goes to Jessie Keosian, as his deaf Aunt Ceil, for the same reason). Witty, biting, and with one of THE oddest plot twists I've ever seen, "Oedipus Wrecks" is the icing on the cake, and a great ending to this film conjunction. 9/10, has to be seen for the "chicken drumstick love-scene" if nothing else! Unfortunately, the film over-all is not an even delivery despite the noble attempt. Scorsese and Allen shine with their spot-on stories of intrinsic inhabitants of the Big Apple; Coppola just provides the worm. I can only recommend portions of the film and as such can only give it a 7/10 in good conscience. Enjoy what you can!

source: New York Stories

Trailer—New York Stories

New York Stories

This film is quite fascinating-in parts. My best advice to anyone renting it is to sit back and thoroughly enjoy the first segment by Martin Scorsese ("Life Lessons")-although you may be sick of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by the end of it, or you may have a new reason to love it. Then, I suggest you fast forward through the painful middle story by Francis Ford Coppola. I really tried to like it, seeing as how this was the same man who brought us "The Godfather." Alas, even I couldn't sit through it. Then, watch Woody Allen's very funny "Oedipus Wrecks." This short film, like Albert Brooks' "Mother" will have you going, "My God, it's Mom!" A satisfying rent. Try to get the people at Blockbuster to knock fifty cents off the price for not watching the middle part.

In these three short stories set in New York, Allen boils a funny but flavourless chicken, Coppola conducts a disastrous flute solo, and Scorsese paints a masterpiece.

The general consensus about this film is accurate: Scorsese's "Life Lessons" and Allen's "Oedipus Wrecks" are quite brilliant, while Coppola's "Life Without Zoe" is God-awful. Watch this film on DVD and just skip the middle "Zoe" segment. "Life Lessons" is perhaps Scorsese's best film, full of directorial flourishes (occasional slow motion and short, dream-like segments) that add emotional depth to an already fine script. Performances are pitch-perfect as are setting and wardrobe. An incredible piece of filmmaking that stands up well to repeat viewings. "Oedipus Wrecks" is classic Woody Allen, here venting his neuroses about the smothering, castrating effects of the Jewish mother. It's played for laughs, of which there are many. Also notable is a great performance by the incomparable Mae Questel, whose voice will be familiar to anyone who's ever heard Betty Boop. Lots to like about these two short, clever entertainments.

Life Lessons - I've probably seen it 10 times. You can refer to it as a 'short', but I get so wrapped up in it that I almost consider it to be a full-length movie. It's very close to perfect. Life Without Zoe - Past comments have stated that this is the weakest of the three. I don't like to think of any of the stories as weak. I think the order of the stories is what is important. First is the tense art world drama, then the fairytale-like Zoe. Zoe doesn't have the punch of Life Lessons, but it's a relaxing follow-up. Enchanted flutes, princesses, sheiks, diamonds, parties, sunsets. I hate to use the word 'cute', but that's what it is - very cute, and that's not a bad thing in this case. Oedipus Wrecks - Leaves the movie ending on a very outrageous and very funny note. This short is better than several of his movies (and I'm a HUGE Woody Allen fan).

"New York Stories " it's a collection of three shorts made by Martin Scorsese ,Francis Ford Coppola ,and Woody Allen . The ending result ,even when it isn't the best work of those filmmakers , at least was very enjoyable to watch , and give us the chance their different styles . The first ,By Martin Scorsese"Life lessons " it's my favorite .The short story it's very well developed and the direction was quite good . It have nice music too . The second "Life Without Zoe " by Francis Ford Coppola is the short who received more bad reviews . Actually isn't bad ,but the story was very different to the other two .Anyway ,I liked it too . The third "Oedipus Wrecks " by Woody Allen , it's the funniest . The story it's very funny ,the script is clever and it is a satisfying ending for the trilogy . Although "New York Stories " isn't a perfect movie ,it is a worth watching .

"New York Stories" tells three tales of the Big Apple. Martin Scorsese's "Life Lessons" shows artist Lionel Dobie (Nick Nolte) trying to assess his relationships with people, Francis Ford Coppola's "Life without Zoe" shows a very mature girl, and Woody Allen's "Oedipus Wrecks" is about Sheldon Mills (played by Allen himself), a man who quite literally cannot get away from his mother. I have to say that Scorsese did a very good job looking at troubled relationships, and Allen shows how hard it is to have certain kinds of people as parents (of course he often shows that). But Coppola's segment was so dull that I choose not to even write about it. But don't worry; the movie is overall really good, and we should assume that it really sucks to be Allen's character, given what happens in that segment.