Manhattan Night Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A tabloid reporter lets a hot widow ruin his life by investigating her dead, creepy husband, leading to blackmail, sexy times, and probably some regret.

🍿 Manhattan Night: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Porter Wren

Porter Wren, played by Adrien Brody, is a tabloid journalist in New York City who thrives on scandal. He balances his sensational career with his role as a devoted husband to Lisa (Jennifer Beals) and father. However, his life takes a turn when he encounters Caroline Crowley.

The Seductive Stranger and a Murder Investigation

Caroline Crowley (Yvonne Strahovski), a captivating woman, approaches Porter with a request: investigate the unsolved murder of her filmmaker husband, Simon (Campbell Scott). Intrigued and seduced by Caroline, Porter delves into the case, unaware of the dangerous web he’s about to enter.

Obsession, Blackmail, and Danger

As Porter investigates, he uncovers a world of sexual obsession and blackmail. He discovers that Simon was a deeply disturbed man with a penchant for recording “honest moments” on video. These videos become a source of blackmail, and Porter’s involvement puts his job, marriage, and life at risk.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Porter Wren (Adrien Brody): A tabloid writer who gets entangled in a dangerous web of sexual obsession and blackmail while investigating a murder.
• Caroline Crowley (Yvonne Strahovski): A seductive widow who hires Porter to investigate her filmmaker husband’s death, leading him into a dangerous affair.
• Simon Crowley (Campbell Scott): A kinky and eccentric filmmaker whose mysterious death sparks a series of dark revelations.
• Lisa Wren (Jennifer Beals): Porter’s loving wife, a surgeon, whose family life is threatened by his involvement in the murder investigation.
• Sebastian Hobbs (Steven Berkoff): The ruthless media mogul who owns the newspaper Porter works for and is being blackmailed.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Porter Wren: “As the old reporter told me on my first day, ‘It’s all one story, kid. It’s all one big story.’” – The last lines of the movie, summarizing his view on life and his career.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4 million
• Domestic Gross: $17,663
• Worldwide Gross: $184,656

💥 Manhattan Night Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Manhattan Night’ last night, and honestly, I was hooked. I loved Adrien Brody’s character, Porter – he’s this kinda world-weary reporter who gets pulled into this crazy mystery. Yvonne Strahovski is just stunning, and their scenes together are intense! I got major ‘Basic Instinct’ vibes. The ending got me, though. Definitely worth a watch if you’re into dark, twisty thrillers. The film has great atmosphere!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir films”
  • “Viewers interested in crime mysteries”
  • “Adrien Brody fans”
  • “Adults seeking mature thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “While stylishly shot and featuring strong performances, ‘Manhattan Night’ struggles with a predictable plot and a lack of genuine suspense, ultimately failing to fully capitalize on its film noir inspirations. Its moody atmosphere and Brody’s portrayal are notable, but not enough to overcome the film’s shortcomings.
• Variety: “Adrien Brody delivers a compelling performance as a morally compromised reporter, but ‘Manhattan Night’ suffers from a convoluted plot and uneven pacing that hinders its potential as a modern noir thriller. The film’s strengths lie in its atmospheric visuals and Yvonne Strahovski’s seductive presence.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A slow-burn crime drama with a touch of eroticism, ‘Manhattan Night’ features a solid performance from Adrien Brody, but struggles to create genuine intrigue. The film’s twists and turns are predictable, preventing it from fully engaging the audience.

Audience Reactions

Adrien Brody’s performance was captivating and a perfect fit for the noir style.: Viewers consistently praised Adrien Brody’s performance and his ability to convey the character’s inner turmoil, making him a standout in the film.

The film’s intriguing plot twists kept me guessing until the very end.: Many enjoyed the unexpected turns and suspenseful storytelling that held their attention throughout the movie.

Overall Consensus: Despite its flaws, ‘Manhattan Night’ offers an engaging noir-inspired storyline with strong performances, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of classic noir films.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the novel ‘Manhattan Nocturne’ by Colin Harrison.”
• “Director Brian DeCubellis also wrote the screenplay for the film.”
• “The film’s original title was ‘Manhattan Nocturne’, but it was later changed to ‘Manhattan Night’.”
• “Filming took place in New York City, adding to the authenticity of the film’s neo-noir setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Manhattan Night?

Currently, Manhattan Night is available for rent or purchase on various platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing details, as these can change over time. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) may also be available from online retailers such as Amazon and major brick-and-mortar stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Manhattan Night, you might like these similar films:

• Basic Instinct (1992): Features a seductive woman and a detective drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, with dark secrets and sexual intrigue.
• L.A. Confidential (1997): A neo-noir crime film with complex characters, a twisting plot, and a focus on corruption and scandal.
• Nightcrawler (2014): Focuses on a character who explores the dark side of journalism and crime, similar to Porter Wren’s tabloid writing.

🛒 Manhattan Night Related Products

• Manhattan Nocturne by Colin Harrison (Paperback): Dive deeper into the story with the original novel that inspired the film. Experience the intricate plot and character development in Harrison’s acclaimed New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood (Blu-ray): Explore classic film noir movies and dive into this genre. See iconic movies such as ‘The Maltese Falcon’ and learn about the history and the production of movies like Manhattan Night.
• Adrien Brody Autographed Photo: A high-quality, professionally printed photograph of Adrien Brody, personally autographed. Certificate of Authenticity included.
• Femme Fatale: Film Noir Collection: This collection is your gateway to femme fatale movies. Enjoy and immerse yourself in the dark side of romance with collections of Femme Fatale movies and other dark tales.

🎧 Soundtrack

Manhattan Night features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “If I Never Met You” – performed by Lucy Woodward
• “Languid Sax” – performed by Joel Douek

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Yvonne Strahovski: MANHATTAN NIGHT

Ever wonder what Yvonne Strahovski thought about playing her character in Manhattan Night? This interview dives deep into her experience. I found her insights pretty interesting!

✨ Rate