Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
108 of 111 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fragments of Coincidence and Connection, February 5, 2008
Though there have been many films of late that address the issues of the isolation of the individual in a society increasingly settling for homogeneity, few have the honesty and simplicity of presentation as Alfredo De Villa's ADRIFT IN MANHATTAN. Perhaps the reason this film works so well is that instead of dealing with the usual tropes, De Villa restricts his story to three individuals who are suffering isolation in the noise and autonomy of New York City and are thus 'adrift' in a life that seems flat and without a beacon of hope. The story De Villa weaves is one of interaction of these characters by almost serendipitous incidents, moments that change their lives - at least for a while.
Teenager Simon Colon (Victor Rasuk) lives with his overbearing mother Marta (Marlene Forte) and gets through his life almost without speaking, working in a camera shop, spending his idle hours photographing people in the park. Tommaso Pensara (Dominic Chianese) is an elderly painter and music lover who lives alone and supports himself by being the 'mail boy' in a large firm: his loneliness is heightened when he discovers he has macular degeneration and will go blind. The physician who makes his diagnosis is Dr. Rose Phipps (Heather Graham) who is grieving from the recent death of her 2-year old child and is unable to continue her marriage to literature professor Mark Phipps (William Baldwin).
The threads of coincidence begin to tie these people together when Simon begins to photograph Rose in a manner that resembles stalking, when Tommaso notices and desires and older lady at his workplace, Isabel Parades (Elizabeth Peńa) and is encouraged by Dr Rose to share his potential blindness with this friend, and when Rose explores the attention Simon bestows on her, filling an emotional need for both parties. Naturally the development of these intersections is more complex but at the same time the manner in which they develop is very tender and gentle.
Some viewers may find the film meandering a bit too much: this is not linear storytelling but rather shifts in incidents and moods and gradual changes that occur among these simple but needy people, much like the coincidences and random kindnesses occur to the sensitive eye. The cast is very fine and the cinematography and musical score sustain the mood of the piece. This film requires involvement on the part of the viewer, and that involvement has its rewards. Grady Harp, February 08
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A little disappointing., February 4, 2009
Was a little disappointed with this movie. It was just so-so, dragged on mostly. Heather was interesting but nothing like her other films.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and worth more acclaim than it's gained, January 5, 2010
I loved this movie. The feeling and pace was graceful, the
cinematography and music wonderful. There's loneliness and loss here,
but it's covered in a way that makes you just fall in love with the
characters and care for them, hope they come through. For those that
can identify with the vib of New York, the film is likely to be
appreciated even more, as elements of the subway and streets come
through realistically.
This movie visits the lives of three different people, and how they
coincidentally intermingle within the movie timeline. The other
characters in the movie add some color and background, and do well
also.
I've watched this movie multiple times and every time I come away
satisfied, and more so: inspired. You can use this movie to better your
life, to better your art. Strongly recommend watching it on a quiet,
relaxing night.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
DVD ~ Heather Graham
DVD ~ Jeremy Sisto
DVD ~ Shirley MacLaine
DVD ~ Danny Huston
DVD ~ Simon Baker
on 
