Introduction New York, New York
"New York, New York" is a 1977 American musical comedy-drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli. The film tells the story of two aspiring artists who fall in love during World War II. The film's background and context are deeply rooted in the jazz age and the golden age of Hollywood. Set against the backdrop of New York City, the film explores themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of dreams in a rapidly changing world. The movie follows Jimmy Doyle (De Niro), a saxophonist who is struggling to make it big on the jazz scene, and Francine Evans (Minnelli), an aspiring singer. The film was written by Mardik Martin and Scott Simon, and features a score composed by John Kander and Fred Ebb. The movie premiered in 1977, during a time when the jazz scene in New York City was thriving, and the film's music reflects this era of American culture. "New York, New York" is a nostalgic look at a bygone era, but it also explores universal themes that continue to resonate with audiences today. The film received mixed reviews upon its initial release, but has since been reevaluated as a groundbreaking work in the musical genre. It is considered one of Martin Scorsese's best films, and features some of his most memorable direction. The movie won several awards, including two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song and Best Art Direction. Overall, "New York, New York" is a unique blend of music, comedy, drama, and romance that explores the complexities of human relationships in a rapidly changing world.
Plot and Themes New York, New York
"New York, New York" is a 1977 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese. The film stars Liza Minnelli as Francine "Frankie" Flynn, a jazz singer, and Robert De Niro as Jimmy Doyle, an aspiring saxophonist. The plot follows the tumultuous relationship between Frankie and Jimmy, who meet on stage at a New York City nightclub in 1944. They fall deeply in love, but their relationship is marked by infidelity, jealousy, and artistic struggles. Despite these challenges, they decide to get married, but their union quickly becomes strained due to Jimmy's lack of ambition and Frankie's growing success as a singer. The film explores themes such as the struggle for creative expression, the sacrifices that come with pursuing one's passion, and the consequences of unrequited love. Throughout the movie, Scorsese uses music to convey the emotional highs and lows of the characters' relationship, often blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. One of the primary themes of "New York, New York" is the struggle for creative expression. Jimmy's lack of success as a musician leads him to become increasingly disillusioned with his career, while Frankie's growing fame creates tension in their relationship. This tension ultimately leads to a breakup, but not before they both realize that their love was worth fighting for. The film also explores the sacrifices that come with pursuing one's passion. Frankie's rise to stardom comes at the cost of her personal relationships and even her own happiness. Meanwhile, Jimmy's lack of ambition causes him to lose his sense of purpose in life. Finally, the movie examines the consequences of unrequited love. Despite their deep affection for each other, Frankie and Jimmy are unable to overcome their differences and ultimately go their separate ways. This tragic ending serves as a poignant reminder that sometimes, even when we find our soulmate, it's not enough to ensure happiness in life. Overall, "New York, New York" is a powerful exploration of the human experience, with its themes of creative expression, sacrifice, and unrequited love serving as a backdrop for the tumultuous relationship between Frankie and Jimmy.
Performance and Direction New York, New York
"New York, New York" (1977) is a romantic drama film written and directed by Martin Scorsese. The film stars Liza Minnelli as Francine Evans, a singer, and Robert De Niro as Jimmy Doyle, a saxophonist. **Liza Minnelli's Performance** Minnelli's performance in the movie was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. She brings a youthful energy to the role of Francine, capturing her vulnerability and determination. Her singing voice is beautiful, and she performs several memorable songs throughout the film. However, some critics have noted that her acting skills are not as strong as her singing abilities. **Robert De Niro's Performance** De Niro gives a nuanced performance as Jimmy Doyle, bringing depth to his character's struggles with addiction and depression. He has great chemistry with Minnelli on screen, and their romantic scenes are tender and believable. However, some critics have noted that he is often overshadowed by Minnelli's more showy performances. **Martin Scorsese's Direction** Scorsese's direction in "New York, New York" was widely praised for its bold and innovative style. He uses a mix of film noir and musical elements to create a unique visual language that captures the gritty, jazz-infused world of 1940s New York City. His use of long takes, camera movements, and editing is masterful, creating a sense of energy and tension throughout the film. However, some critics have noted that Scorsese's direction can be overly showy at times, prioritizing style over substance. The pacing of the film can also feel uneven, with some scenes feeling rushed or slow. **Overall** "New York, New York" is a visually stunning film with strong performances from its leads. While it may have some flaws in terms of pacing and direction, Scorsese's unique vision and Minnelli's powerful singing voice make it a memorable and enjoyable watch.
Technical Aspects New York, New York
Martin Scorsese's "New York, New York" (1977) is a classic film that showcases his mastery of cinematic storytelling. Here are some key technical aspects of the movie: Cinematography: The film was shot on location in New York City using a 35mm camera. The cinematographer, Michael Chapman, worked closely with Scorsese to capture the gritty urban landscape of Manhattan. They used a combination of handheld cameras and Steadicams to create a sense of immediacy and realism. Chapman also employed a range of filters and lenses to achieve specific visual effects. For example, he used a blue filter to enhance the night scenes and a warm filter to evoke the feeling of a sunny day. He also used wide-angle lenses to capture the vast cityscape and telephoto lenses to focus on the characters. Sound Design: The sound design in "New York, New York" is notable for its use of location recordings and practical effects. Scorsese worked closely with sound designer Dick Vorisek to create a realistic soundscape that captures the chaos and energy of the city. One notable example is the sound of the saxophone playing in the background during many scenes. This was achieved by recording the saxophonist live on set, using a wireless microphone system. The sound of traffic, construction, and other ambient noises were also recorded on location to add to the realism. Visual Effects: The visual effects in "New York, New York" are relatively simple compared to modern standards. However, they do include some innovative techniques for the time period. For example, the film features a number of split-screen scenes where Liza Minnelli's character is shown singing and dancing on one side of the screen while Robert De Niro's character watches her from the other side. Another notable visual effect is the use of rear projection to create the illusion that the characters are driving through New York City. This was achieved by projecting a pre-recorded video sequence onto the back of a screen in front of the actors, who then drove their car across it while pretending to be on the road.
More Details New York, New York
"New York, New York" is a 1977 American musical comedy-drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. The film was co-written with Mardik Martin and stars Liza Minnelli as Francine Evans, a jazz singer, and Robert De Niro as Jimmy Doyle, a saxophonist. **Cast** * Liza Minnelli as Francine "Frankie" Evans * Robert De Niro as James "Jimmy" Doyle * Lionel Stander as Sal Boca * Barry Primus as Vinnie Bella **Production Companies** * United Artists * Paramount Pictures * Filmways Productions **Interesting Trivia** 1. **Long Production Time**: The film was in production for over four years, from 1974 to 1977. This is due to the complex nature of the story and the fact that Scorsese had to balance his work on "Taxi Driver" (1976) at the same time. 2. **Improvisation**: De Niro improvised many of Jimmy's scenes, which added to the film's realism. Liza Minnelli also improvised some of Frankie's songs. 3. **Liza Minnelli's Singing**: Minnelli did most of her own singing in the film, but she had trouble hitting the high notes. To solve this problem, Scorsese used a combination of dubbing and re-recording Minnelli's vocals to create a more convincing performance. 4. **Scenes Shot at Carnegie Hall**: The iconic concert scene where Frankie performs "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" was filmed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. This added an air of authenticity to the film. 5. **Cameo Appearances**: Two famous jazz musicians, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., make cameo appearances in the film. Sinatra sings a duet with Minnelli in "New York, New York," while Davis Jr. appears as himself at Frankie's concert. 6. **Original Script**: The original script was much darker than what ended up on screen. Scorsese had to tone down the violence and drama due to pressure from United Artists. The film that was released is a more lighthearted, romantic comedy than what was initially intended. 7. **Score**: The film's score was composed by John Kander, with lyrics written by Fred Ebb. It features several memorable songs, including "New York, New York," which became a hit single for Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra. 8. **Budapest Location Shooting**: Although the film is set in New York City, some scenes were actually shot on location in Budapest, Hungary. This was due to budget constraints and the availability of suitable locations. 9. **Final Cut**: The final cut of "New York, New York" was over four hours long. Scorsese had to edit it down to a more manageable two hours and 25 minutes before its release. 10. **Legacy**: Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics at the time of its release, "New York, New York" has since become a cult classic and is now considered one of Martin Scorsese's most underrated films.
Conclusion New York, New York
"New York, New York" is a film that defies easy categorization. On one hand, it's a romantic comedy with a swooning score, lush cinematography, and impressive performances from its leads. Liza Minnelli shines as Francine, bringing a vulnerability and charm to her character that makes her relatable and lovable. On the other hand, the film is also an intense, dramatic exploration of the darker aspects of human relationships. The portrayal of Jimmy's obsessive behavior and Francine's subsequent feelings of desperation and despair are unflinching in their honesty. These moments are raw and uncomfortable, making for a viewing experience that's both captivating and unsettling. Despite its mixed tone, "New York, New York" is ultimately a triumph. Scorsese's direction is masterful, balancing the film's disparate elements with ease. His use of visuals is breathtaking, capturing the gritty beauty of 1970s New York City in a way that feels both nostalgic and timeless. The film's score by John Kander and Fred Ebb is equally impressive, featuring some of the most memorable and iconic songs of the decade. If there's one area where "New York, New York" falls short, it's in its pacing. At nearly three hours long, the film feels overly ambitious at times, with certain scenes or plot threads dragging on longer than they need to. Additionally, the characters' motivations can be difficult to follow, particularly Jimmy's, which makes it challenging to fully invest in his journey. Despite these flaws, "New York, New York" remains a masterpiece of American cinema. Its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, and it continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of music, drama, and romance. If you're willing to invest the time and emotional energy required by this epic film, you'll be richly rewarded.