Adrift in Manhattan (2007)

44% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(739 ratings)

Adrift in Manhattan, the third feature effort of Hispanic writer/director Alfredo de Villa (Washington Heights, Yellow), intercuts three intensely dramatic stories of life during a cold New York winter, each of which revolves around the concept (and thematic motif) of vision. In the first, an eye… More Adrift in Manhattan, the third feature effort of Hispanic writer/director Alfredo de Villa (Washington Heights, Yellow), intercuts three intensely dramatic stories of life during a cold New York winter, each of which revolves around the concept (and thematic motif) of vision. In the first, an eye doctor grieving from a traumatic loss (Heather Graham) must reexamine her life and priorities; in the second, an artist of advanced age must contend with encroaching blindness -- thus losing the one of his five senses that represents his greatest asset; in the third, a photographer grapples with inner turmoil. De Villa brings these stories together for an unanticipated intersection on a Manhattan subway line, and watches as these individuals -- initially, complete strangers to one another -- help to guide each other through their struggles, pain, and angst. William Baldwin and Erika Michaels co-star. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Alfredo De Villa
Written By: Nat Moss
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Sep 21, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Jan 22, 2008
Studio: Screen Media Films

Critic Reviews

Julia Wallace, Village Voice
You can't build a movie around lingering, soulful shots of the No. 1 train zooming up and down the West Side.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
An all-too-familiar wallow in urban woe and artfully photographed isolation.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
...overall, his [Alfredo De Villa's] latest flick is dramatically tepid.
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Adrift is a small film with great humanity and deserves a broader audience than it's likely to get.
Dennis Harvey, Variety
A delicate piece with good performances and an intriguing enough setup, the drama ultimately doesn't go anywhere definite or distinctive enough to leave a lasting impression.
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
The film's most effective moments are its quietest.
Jamie Tipps, Film Threat
Adrift in Manhattan is a quietly moving film about alienation and connection.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Better directed than written, de Villa's meditation on loss, loneliness, and alientaion in urban New York is downbeat, slow, studied, and a bit pretentious, but it's nicely acted by the entire cast, particularly Victor Rasuk and Dominic Chianese.
Scott Weinberg, Cinematical
Throw a rock into any year's Sundance guide and you're guaranteed to hit at least two or three multi-pronged grave and oh-so-earnest weep-dramas like this one.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

Very slow and a bit dull, although has it's good points. I liked the photography and special mention has to go to that dodgy mother with the 20 year old son. Ugh!
Sol C

Well acted drama. I definitely recommend this independent film.
Leo L

An interesting movie!! Lives of various characters intertwine in this movie brought by Alfredo De Villa. Great cast.