'New York, New York'–a favorite flick
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — New York, New York
brookwriter — 15 years ago(January 19, 2011 10:48 PM)
Every now and then I check in on this particular message board to see the latest posts on Martin Scorsese's "New York, New York."
I saw this movie repeatedly upon its release in 1977 and again when it was re-released in 1981, with the "Happy Endings" production number properly restored.
The "Happy Endings" sequence, which was one of the first sequences filmed and cost over $350,000, should never have been excised in the first place.
"New York, New York" performed very well in previews. United Artists thought they had a blockbuster on their hands.
But upon initial release in summer 1977, "New York, New York" received very mixed notices. This was, for better or worse, the summer of "Star Wars." The public may have not been expecting a dark musical drama running close to three hours. I don't think UA's marketing could have been faulted.
This is indeed a very idiosyncratic picture. It is also one of the most passionate movies about music I have ever seen.
Seeing it again recently, decades later, I am still mesmerized by it. It has aged extremely, extremely well. I think "New York, New York" was just ahead of its time.
This is a story of two musicians who love each other but cannot live together. It is really as simple as that. For all the improvisation, deleted scenes (from a purportedly four-hour cut) and the like, Scorsese really despite himself fashioned a deeply felt examination of a marriage pretty much doomed from the start but kept afloat by the couple's very real love of each other, and of music itself.
I remember feeling bereft when the credits rolled in 1977 (I did NOT want it to end) and my sentiment hasn't changed. There are moments in "New York, New York" that to me are among the most beautiful in all cinema.
I am a strong advocate of the hellaciously daring minutes-long VJ-Day pickup scene at the beginning. Simply dazzling, and very funny. I don't understand at all the criticism of this scene, which sets up the movie beautifully.
This is a picture that will probably always divide audiences, but so be it. Liza Minnelli and Robert DeNiro were meant to work together, and this was the perfect project for them.
I'm very, very glad it was made. It wouldn't happen today. For one thing, there are no actors of the caliber of Minnelli and Deniro to play it, and no major studio would probably finance it. How far we've come. 3-D, anyone?
And wow, that title song (and Minnelli's definitive rendition of it). Not to mention "But The World Goes 'Round". Neither song was even nominated for an Academy Award, which is why sleeping on Oscar Night became an option for me over the years.
Anyone on the fence who hasn't seen "New York, New York"do it now, while UA's wonderful anniversary DVD is still available.