New York Stories
1989
NEW YORK STORIES comprises three short films set in New York, directed by Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Woody Allen. Scorsese directs "Life Lessons," in which painter Nick Nolte plays an abstract painter trying to save his relationship with Rosanna Arquette. Francis Ford Coppola directs "Life Without Zoe," which .. Read more
| Starring | Nick Nolte, Talia Shire, Julie Kavner, Giancarlo Giannini |
|---|---|
| Director | Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Francis Ford Cop |
| Genres | Comedy |
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New York Stories
NEW YORK STORIES comprises three short films set in New York, directed by Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Woody Allen. Scorsese directs "Life Lessons," in which painter Nick Nolte plays an abstract painter trying to save his relationship with Rosanna Arquette. Francis Ford Coppola directs "Life Without Zoe," which stars Heather McComb as a young schoolgirl who lives alone at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel while her parents (Talia Shire and Giancarlo Giannini) globetrot around the world. Precocious Zoe is lovingly watched over by her butler, Hector (Don Novello), until her parents return home one day with a surprising announcement. Sofia Coppola co-wrote the script with her father. The final segment is "Oedipus Wrecks," a classic Woody Allen piece about a Jewish nebbish who is a bit of a momma's boy.
| Starring | Nick Nolte, Talia Shire, Julie Kavner, Giancarlo Giannini, Mia Farrow, Rosanna Arquette, Woody Allen, Chris Elliott, Samantha Larkin, Mae Questal |
|---|---|
| Director | Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Francis Ford Cop |
| Studio | WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 59 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 15 Jun 2006 Production year: 1989 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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A word to the wise. As soon as Martin Scorsese's Life Lessons episode of this trilogy of Big Apple tales ends, you have 33 minutes to yourself — unless, of course, you feel you really have to sit through Francis Coppola's atrocious aberration Life without Zoe. It's like watching Louis Malle's zany Zazie dans le Métro come off the rails. Scorsese's contribution, on the other hand, is a superbly controlled drama focusing on artist Nick Nolte's relationship with his muse, Rosanna Arquette. But the real showstopper comes from Woody Allen, whose Oedipus Wrecks is one of the funniest things he's ever done, thanks largely to a monstrous performance by mother-from-hell Mae Questel.
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Worth watching for Scorsese's sharp look at the art world and Allen's ultimate Jewish mother joke. Sandwiched between them is Coppola at his most disastrously winsome.
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Most helpful member's review
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11 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Scorsese - great, Allen - pretty good, Coppola - oh dear
Three short films from three directors based in New York. These things are always a bit hit-and-miss, but just look at the talent involved here. This has got to be great, hasn't it?
The film gets the best one out first. Martin Scorsese's 'Life Lessons' is a dazzling drama about a painter(Nick Nolte) and his young muse(Rosanna Arquette). Scorsese employs all his visual flair as Nolte goes to work, splashing paint around to the superb soundtrack. It's a beautifully controlled drama with the two leads on fiery good form.
If the first film is impressive then the second wastes no time in bringing the viewer back down to earth. Coppola's 'Life Lessons' is an unendurable, vomit-inducing story of a spoilt little rich girl who lives in hotels while her parents travel the world. Co-written by Sofia Coppola, it's a painfully sugary drama with increasingly annoying members of the Coppola clan overacting wildly. Avoid like the plague.
Instead, skip to Woody Allen's 'Oedipus Wrecks'. A very funny film which is basically an excuse for Allen to run all his favourite Jewish mother jokes in one film. Mae Questel is hilarious as Woody's mother but the film runs out of steam halfway through.
Still two out of three isn't bad. -
Most recent members' review
View all -
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Scorsese - great, Allen - pretty good, Coppola - oh dear
Three short films from three directors based in New York. These things are always a bit hit-and-miss, but just look at the talent involved here. This has got to be great, hasn't it?
The film gets the best one out first. Martin Scorsese's 'Life Lessons' is a dazzling drama about a painter(Nick Nolte) and his young muse(Rosanna Arquette). Scorsese employs all his visual flair as Nolte goes to work, splashing paint around to the superb soundtrack. It's a beautifully controlled drama with the two leads on fiery good form.
If the first film is impressive then the second wastes no time in bringing the viewer back down to earth. Coppola's 'Life Lessons' is an unendurable, vomit-inducing story of a spoilt little rich girl who lives in hotels while her parents travel the world. Co-written by Sofia Coppola, it's a painfully sugary drama with increasingly annoying members of the Coppola clan overacting wildly. Avoid like the plague.
Instead, skip to Woody Allen's 'Oedipus Wrecks'. A very funny film which is basically an excuse for Allen to run all his favourite Jewish mother jokes in one film. Mae Questel is hilarious as Woody's mother but the film runs out of steam halfway through.
Still two out of three isn't bad. -
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NEW YORK STORIES comprises three short films set in New York, directed by Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Woody Allen. Scorsese directs "Life Lessons," in which painter Nick Nolte plays an ... -