A Rainy Day in New York Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A rich kid and his girlfriend go to New York, it rains, and everyone cheats (emotionally, at least) while spouting Woody Allen-isms, but with less self-awareness.

🍿 A Rainy Day in New York: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Premise: A Romantic Weekend Planned

Gatsby Welles, a sharp but disillusioned college student from a wealthy New York family, plans a romantic weekend in Manhattan with his girlfriend, Ashleigh Enright. Ashleigh, a bright-eyed aspiring journalist, is set to interview acclaimed film director Roland Pollard for her college newspaper. Gatsby envisions a classic New York experience, hoping to impress Ashleigh with his favorite haunts and escape the pretension of his family’s social circle.

A Series of Unforeseen Encounters

Upon arriving in the city, their carefully laid plans quickly unravel. Ashleigh’s interview with Pollard morphs into a series of unexpected encounters with fascinating figures from the film world, drawing her deeper into their glamorous and chaotic lives. Meanwhile, Gatsby aimlessly wanders through the city, stumbling upon old friends and unexpected opportunities.

Chance Meetings and Romantic Entanglements

Gatsby encounters Chan Tyrell, the younger sister of an old flame, on the set of a student film. Their connection is immediate, sparked by shared wit and a refreshing honesty absent in his relationship with Ashleigh. As Ashleigh becomes increasingly enamored with the allure of the film industry, Gatsby finds himself drawn to Chan, questioning his future and his feelings for his girlfriend.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gatsby (Timothée Chalamet): A wealthy and cynical college student who prefers gambling and piano bars to his studies and plans a romantic weekend in New York with his girlfriend.
• Ashleigh (Elle Fanning): An enthusiastic and somewhat naive college student and aspiring journalist who gets swept up in the world of famous filmmakers in New York.
• Chan (Selena Gomez): Gatsby’s old friend’s younger sister, who shares a spark with him and offers a grounded perspective.
• Roland Pollard (Liev Schreiber): A movie director going through a midlife crisis who takes a liking to Ashleigh.
• Ted Davidoff (Jude Law): Roland Pollard’s screenwriter who encounters Ashleigh and further complicates the weekend.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chan Tyrell: “Real life is fine for people who can’t do any better.” – Chan says this to Gatsby, encapsulating her cynicism about settling for an ordinary existence.
• Gatsby: “I’m just not very good at the pastoring.” – Gatsby quips this while trying to comfort his brother about his impending marriage, highlighting his detachment from conventional life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,266,385
• Worldwide Gross: $23,805,899

💥 A Rainy Day in New York Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘A Rainy Day in New York’ isn’t Woody Allen’s best, but I still found it enjoyable. Timothée Chalamet does a solid job channeling that classic Allen neurotic energy. I loved the scenes in the piano bar, especially when Gatsby starts playing – it felt so authentic. Elle Fanning’s character was a bit much at times, but overall, I got swept away by the dreamy, rainy atmosphere. It made me want to visit New York even if it meant getting soaked. The ending was a bit predictable, but it left me with a smile.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Woody Allen’s films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy romantic comedies set in New York City”
  • “Timothée Chalamet fans”
  • “Elle Fanning fans”
  • “Selena Gomez fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive dialogue and themes”
  • “Brief depiction of infidelity”
  • “Some mature themes related to relationships”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘A Rainy Day in New York’ boasts charming performances from Chalamet and Fanning, the film feels like a lesser echo of Allen’s earlier, sharper work. The witty banter is still present, but the emotional depth feels lacking, leaving the audience slightly underwhelmed.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “The film is undeniably beautiful to look at, thanks to Vittorio Storaro’s cinematography, but the story meanders without a clear purpose. The characters are more archetypes than fully realized people, and the ending feels abrupt and unearned.
• The Guardian: “A light romantic comedy that never quite takes off. The dialogue is snappy, and the cast does their best, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that this is Woody Allen on autopilot, rehashing familiar themes without bringing anything new to the table.

Audience Reactions

The cinematography perfectly captures the romantic essence of New York in the rain.: Viewers appreciated the film’s visuals and its attempt to create a nostalgic atmosphere.

Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Gatsby was a highlight for many fans.: Many agreed that Chalamet brought charm and wit to his role.

Some viewers found Elle Fanning’s character a bit over-the-top and irritating.: There was some disagreement on Fanning’s performance, with some finding her endearing and others annoying.

Overall Consensus: A visually appealing but somewhat predictable romantic comedy that offers moments of charm but ultimately falls short of Woody Allen’s best work. Divided opinions, especially on acting perfomances

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This film marks the first time since 1981 that Woody Allen did not have a feature film released in theaters as originally intended, due to controversy surrounding the director.”
• “Vittorio Storaro, the cinematographer, aimed to capture the romantic essence of New York City in the rain, using specific color palettes to enhance the mood.”
• “Timothée Chalamet’s character, Gatsby Welles, is named after characters from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ and Orson Welles, reflecting the film’s themes of wealth, illusion, and cinematic artistry.”
• “The film’s production was marred by controversy, leading some cast members to donate their salaries to charities supporting the #MeToo movement.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Rainy Day in New York?

As of October 2024, ‘A Rainy Day in New York’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability on streaming services in your region. Some cable providers may also offer it on demand. Availability may change, so it’s best to confirm current options before planning your viewing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Rainy Day in New York, you might like these similar films:

• Manhattan (1979): Classic Woody Allen film exploring relationships and intellectualism in New York City.
• Annie Hall (1977): Another iconic Woody Allen film with similar themes of love, relationships, and New York City life, known for its witty dialogue and quirky characters.
• Midnight in Paris (2011): Features a romanticized view of a city (Paris) and deals with themes of nostalgia and finding one’s place in the world, similar to the romantic atmosphere and self-discovery in ‘A Rainy Day in New York’.
• Frances Ha (2012): A black-and-white film about a young woman navigating life and relationships in New York City, sharing a similar indie vibe and focus on character development.

🛒 A Rainy Day in New York Related Products

• New York City Coffee Table Book: A stunning collection of photographs capturing the beauty and energy of New York City, perfect for showcasing your love for the movie’s iconic setting.
• The Great Gatsby [Blu-ray]: A classic tale of love, wealth, and disillusionment set in the Roaring Twenties. Featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire.
• Vintage Style Tweed Jacket: Channel Gatsby’s classic look with this stylish tweed jacket, perfect for a sophisticated and timeless aesthetic.
• Manhattan Movie Poster: Own the official movie poster, a great piece to put on your wall.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Rainy Day in New York features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Got Lucky in the Rain” – performed by Bing Crosby
• “Manhattan” – performed by Ella Fitzgerald

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The duo you didn’t know you needed 🔥 🎥: A Rainy Day in New York (2019)

Ever wondered if Selena Gomez and Timothée Chalamet had good on-screen chemistry? This short clip from the movie will give you a taste of their dynamic – I was pleasantly surprised by how well they worked together!

RANKING TIMOTHEE CHALAMET MOVIES ‼️❄️ #movies

Curious where ‘A Rainy Day in New York’ ranks among Timothée Chalamet’s best performances? This video breaks down his filmography and offers a pretty comprehensive ranking, although I don’t totally agree with their pick for #1!

Timmy in rainy day in new York (not mine) #timotheechalamet #movie #edit #lanadelrey

Obsessed with Timothée Chalamet in ‘A Rainy Day in New York’? This fan-made edit perfectly captures the mood of his character, with a Lana Del Rey soundtrack that’s surprisingly fitting!

✨ Rate