New York, New York Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two musicians with massive egos fall in love, then mostly just annoy each other for a really long time.

🍿 New York, New York: Detailed Plot Synopsis

VJ Day Meeting

On VJ Day, spontaneous celebrations erupt across New York City. Jimmy Doyle, a charismatic but self-centered saxophonist, encounters Francine Evans, a talented lounge singer. Their initial meeting is a mix of playful banter and mutual attraction, setting the stage for their tumultuous relationship.

A Rocky Romance and Ascending Careers

Jimmy and Francine’s romance develops alongside their burgeoning careers in the music industry. They navigate the challenges of performing together, balancing their individual ambitions with their shared dreams. However, Jimmy’s egotistical nature and controlling tendencies create friction in their relationship.

Strained Marriage and Diverging Paths

As Francine’s career takes off, Jimmy struggles with feelings of inadequacy and resentment. Their marriage becomes increasingly strained by his jealousy and inability to support her success. Ultimately, their diverging paths and conflicting personalities lead to a separation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Francine Evans (Liza Minnelli): A talented lounge singer whose career ascends, creating a complex dynamic with her ambitious musician partner.
• Jimmy Doyle (Robert De Niro): An egotistical and selfish saxophonist whose ambition and temperament strain his relationship with Francine.
• Tony Harwell (Lionel Stander): A pragmatic band manager who navigates the complexities of the music industry and the personalities within it.
• Paul Wilson (Barry Primus): A loyal friend and fellow musician who observes the tumultuous relationship between Jimmy and Francine.
• Frankie Harte (Georgie Auld): A seasoned bandleader who provides guidance and experience to the younger musicians.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jimmy: “I guess a little small talk’s in order here now.” – Jimmy tries to initiate a conversation with Francine after an initial awkward encounter.
• Francine: “Can it get any smaller?” – Francine responds sarcastically to Jimmy’s attempt at small talk, highlighting her disinterest.
• Jimmy: “Now look I can take a hint.” – Jimmy asserts his ability to understand social cues, though his actions often suggest otherwise.
• Francine: “Can you also take a walk?” – Francine bluntly tells Jimmy to leave, expressing her annoyance and lack of interest.
• Jimmy: “Do you want me to leave?” – Jimmy asks Francine if she wants him to leave despite already being rude.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $14,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $16,400,000
• Worldwide Gross: $16,400,658

💥 New York, New York Reviews

Personal Review

I just watched “New York, New York” and wow, what a ride! The music is fantastic, of course, and Liza Minnelli really shines. It’s hard to like Robert De Niro’s character since he’s such a jerk. Overall, a unique movie experience. I loved the scenes with Liza singing. They really transported me back to the big band era, and I could feel the energy of the performances. It is a movie that makes me think, and makes me feel.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic musicals”
  • “Those interested in character-driven dramas”
  • “Admirers of Martin Scorsese’s filmography”
  • “Viewers who appreciate stories about ambition and relationships”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Language”
  • “Possible depiction of emotional abuse”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Rollingstone.com: “A moody, music-filled romance that highlights Minnelli’s and De Niro’s great performances but suffers from pacing issues and an unlikeable main character.
• The Film Stage: “Scorsese’s attempt at a musical is ambitious, but the unlikeable characters make it hard to connect emotionally, despite Minnelli’s and De Niro’s acting.
• Amazon Reviewer: “Often brilliant in spite of major flaws, It holds up remarkably well, and most of the time the balance of artifice and reality works very well. But even more difficult is the character of Jimmy Doyle, the abusive husband of the piece.

Audience Reactions

Liza Minnelli’s singing is the highlight, especially “New York, New York.”: The recreation of the 1940s atmosphere and the fantastic musical numbers are greatly appreciated.

De Niro’s character is unlikable and often makes the film hard to watch.: Many viewers felt the film was too long and meandering.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning but flawed musical drama. Great performances and music, but held back by unlikable characters and a long runtime.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Martin Scorsese was heavily influenced by classic Hollywood musicals, particularly those directed by Vincente Minnelli, in crafting the visual style and narrative structure of ‘New York, New York’.”
• “Robert De Niro actually learned to play the saxophone for his role as Jimmy Doyle, although his playing was dubbed by professional musicians in the final film.”
• “The film’s extended musical sequences, including ‘Happy Endings’, were initially cut for the theatrical release but later restored in subsequent versions, adding to its length and complexity.”
• “The improvisational style of De Niro and Minnelli often led to spontaneous dialogue and moments on set, contributing to the film’s raw and realistic portrayal of the characters’ tumultuous relationship.”
• “The film was a box office disappointment upon its initial release, but it has since gained a cult following and is now recognized for its ambitious blend of musical and dramatic elements.”

🖥️ How to Watch New York, New York?

Currently, “New York, New York” is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for possible television airings. Unfortunately, the movie is not included with any subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed New York, New York, you might like these similar films:

• A Star Is Born (1954): Shares a similar narrative of a rising star and a self-destructive partner in the entertainment industry, with a focus on the challenges of fame and relationships.
• Cabaret (1972): Explores the dark side of the entertainment world and the complexities of love and ambition against a backdrop of social and political turmoil.
• La La Land (2016): A modern musical that portrays the struggles and sacrifices artists make in pursuit of their dreams, with a bittersweet romance set in a vibrant city.
• The Rose (1979): Features a troubled female singer struggling with fame and personal demons, similar to Francine’s journey in ‘New York, New York’.
• Sweet Smell of Success (1957): Captures the underbelly of the entertainment industry and the exploitative relationships that can arise in the pursuit of success.

🛒 New York, New York Related Products

• New York, New York (Blu-ray): Experience the restored version of this classic Scorsese film in high definition. Features director’s commentary and behind-the-scenes footage.
• New York, New York (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Download the iconic soundtrack featuring Liza Minnelli and classic big band music. Experience the songs that defined the film.
• Liza Minnelli – The Complete Capitol Collection: A collector’s item with Liza’s most famous and beloved tracks. Beautiful collection of songs to remind you of New York, New York.
• Robert De Niro: A Life in Pictures: Robert De Niro, born 1943, is an American actor, producer, and director with dual citizenship of the United States and Italy. He is regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time. His early films were primarily directed by Martin Scorsese.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Theme from New York, New York” – performed by Liza Minnelli
• “But the World Goes ‘Round” – performed by Liza Minnelli
• “Honeysuckle Rose” – performed by Diahnne Abbott

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

🤨 FAQ

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