jo

Sweet and charming movie. It’s got odd, interesting characters and lots of whimsy. Set in an adorable 1980s NYC. I really really enjoy this movie, it’s comforting and easy to watch. I believe the low reviews are from viewers wanting something more serious or high-brow…it’s not those things but it is a cute feel-good watch.

Pretty prolific for it’s time. The story is very, very simple but the editing choices, color grading, and cinematography are all rich, technicolor and stimulating: evidently influential in retrospect. The cast could not be more talented and lovely. Jude law is young and beautiful and unassumingly charming, Norah Jones plays very quiet and perceptive surprisingly well, Rachel Weisz is striking- both in her looks and her sincere performance. Natalie Portman does a pretty good southern accent (coming from a critical native) and plays a confused, scared and tough young woman with convincing earnest. The best performance of the film is the devastated David Strathairn, depicting a distraught alcoholic at the end of his rope. All the characters are vignetted in beautiful, tender little “slices,” giving grace, earthiness, and dignified consideration to their simple, sometimes sad, stories. All of this is tied together through a soulful, heart-wrenching soundtrack of classic songs. The elements melded together create a quiet, thoughtful and uniquely beautiful film. Artful, slow and romantic. Although not large in standing, accolades, or recognition, I think this is an especially lovely film to watch for the open-minded viewer.