Customer Reviews

Adrift in Manhattan

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 Peña) 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

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.

Was a little disappointed with this movie. It was just so-so, dragged on mostly. Heather was interesting but nothing like her other films.

The city of 8 million, and in this city Simon, Rose, and Tomás are lonely and lost souls. Their lives become entwined and we begin to see the souls of the lost.

Rose is an optometrist who has lost her two year old son who fell out of an open window. She can never forgive herself so can anyone else? She has separated from her husband and he wants to find his way back, but Rose?

Simon is a young man interested in photography,working in a photo shop and one day he sees Rose and starts photographing her. She becomes an obsession and he follows her. Simon lives with his alcoholic mother and life is difficult for them both.

Tomás is a painter and works as a mailman at a business. Rose has just told him that he is going blind. He has no family or close friends. But he is interested in a younger co-worker and their relationship takes hold.

These three people live along the 1/9 subway line and much of the story takes place in the subway. We see Rose getting off the subway and having coffee in the park before she goes to work. Simon is following her and Tomas is having increased difficulty with his vision. He cannot see to paint and he cannot tell his new love he is going blind.

Each of them is existing in a place of their own and none can ask for help. It is only when Rose confronts Simon that something changes. Rose also talks and advises Tomas about his disease and his new relationship. This contact with each other brings them back into the world and their lives can move on, to what, we are not sure.

I found Heather Graham as Rose lacking in emotion. I did not feel her pain as much as sense it, and she was unable to connect with me. Simon was excellent in his portrayal as the confused teenager. And, Tomas was superb in his role as the painter lost in his blindness.

This film was a nice surprise but in saying this, the film did not go anywhere. We are left to suppose and I want to suppose all is right in the world.

Recommended. prisrob 02-10-08

Shout
Killing Me Softly (Unrated Edition)

This film directed by Alfredo De Villa is an intense emotional journey told through the lives of three main characters whose lives intertwine. I found this film very real, emotionally stimulating and totally thought provoking. From the beginning I was caught up and the experience was a honest, heart wrenching experience.

All the acting here is superb. Heather Graham leads the cast in an amazing performance as a very mysterious eye doctor. Add in Victor Rasuk in a career making performance as a 20 year old photographer who becomes obsessed with her and Dominic Chianese as one of her patients who is also excellent. All the characters here are shown very realistically and their lives are troubled and multi layered. The script as well as the directing desrve high credit here. We become involved and totally invested in these peoples lives. They are introduced vaguely and as the film progresses we discover all about their lives and the complexities of the issues they are all dealing with.

This was truly one of the best films I have seen in a long time. It is very intelligent and the way all the characters lives become entwined is very believable. This film was an emotional journey I will not soon forget. ADRIFT IN MANHATTAN does not manipulate the emotions of the viewer but rather tells the stories openly and honestly and allows the viewer to feel their own emotions.

I truly don't understand the low ratings here. I highly praise this film and also highly recommend it. Give yourself the treat of a film that will treat you the viewer with intelligence and provide a truly emotional and thought provoking journey.

Good movie with good storyline. Easy to follow. Good acting, well cast. Good pause and toss scenes.

This is one of those movies that sound like a very good idea but don't really work. The screenplay is a little weak, the relationship between Simon and his mother is downright creepy (for no apparent reason), and unfortunately Heather Graham is not good enough an actress to pull off the grieving-mother part.

When i took a chance on renting this from blockbuster, the checkout lady said most people who rented it thought it was better than expected. I'm not so sure I'd be that kind. I could be critical with the eye doctor's exam not making sense (my background) or how she (Heather Grahm) breaks some news to her patient about a bad eye condition ...but sticking to the story I'd say it's just kind of slow. A little wierd also in the sense that this eye doctor is being stalked by a very quiet man in his early 20s and she is eventually ok with it. I won't spoil what happens with the stalker but the result is kind of weird. The other story in this movie has to do with the patient (actor who plays junior soprano) loosing his vision, pretty straight forward, ...yawn. Oh yea, he's a painter, can someone say cliche? I guess a third person in heather grahams life is her husband who she is separated with, he's one of the Baldwin bros. Not much going on with that third story line either. Overall, i'd save this one for when you really have nothing else to watch.

A pleasant movie but nothing special . An Ok way to spend a couple of hours . Acting was fine but plot dragged.

When i took a chance on renting this from blockbuster, the checkout lady said most people who rented it thought it was better than expected. I'm not so sure I'd be that kind. I could be critical with the eye doctor's exam not making sense (my background) or how she (Heather Grahm) breaks some news to her patient about a bad eye condition ...but sticking to the story I'd say it's just kind of slow. A little wierd also in the sense that this eye doctor is being stalked by a very quiet man in his early 20s and she is eventually ok with it. I won't spoil what happens with the stalker but the result is kind of weird. The other story in this movie has to do with the patient (actor who plays junior soprano) loosing his vision, pretty straight forward, ...yawn. Oh yea, he's a painter, can someone say cliche? I guess a third person in heather grahams life is her husband who she is separated with, he's one of the Baldwin bros. Not much going on with that third story line either. Overall, i'd save this one for when you really have nothing else to watch.