New York Stories (1989)

73% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(8,938 ratings)

The omnibus film New York Stories is the product of three powerhouse filmmakers. The film is divided into three stories, each exploring a different aspect of life in the Big Apple. Life Lessons, directed by Martin Scorcese, is a Dostoevsky-like tale of the rarefied Art World, with Nick Nolte as a… More The omnibus film New York Stories is the product of three powerhouse filmmakers. The film is divided into three stories, each exploring a different aspect of life in the Big Apple. Life Lessons, directed by Martin Scorcese, is a Dostoevsky-like tale of the rarefied Art World, with Nick Nolte as a self-indulgent abstractionist who loves Rosanna Arquette, but can't bring himself to lie to her about her negligible artistic talents. Life Without Zoe, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is more than a little reminiscent of Kay Thompson's Eloise stories, with 12-year-old Zoe (Heather McComb) running amok at the Sherry-Netherland hotel while her parents are embarked upon a world-girdling vacation. The last and is Woody Allen's Oedipus Wrecks, wherein a schnooky lawyer (guess who?) inadvertently "creates" the Jewish Mother From Hell: thanks to a misguided magic trick, Allen's mama (the incomparable Mae Questel) becomes a huge spectral vision on the New York skyline, telling everyone within earshot about her son's inadequacies. The cinematographer lineup on New York Stories includes Nestor Almendros, Vittorio Storaro and Sven Nykvist. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 4 min.
Directed By: Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 10, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Apr 8, 2003

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Whether it happened by chance or design, the sketches have more than just New York in common: all three have something to do with middle age, as well as with romantic relationships.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
It's still too early to tell whether the cheering New York Stories will be a box-office hit, but one can hope.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Allen's contribution is the only one that can be counted as a genuine success.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
New York Stories consists of three films, one good, one bad, one disappointing.
Joe Brown, Washington Post
A novel and fascinating foray into highly stylized, highly personal filmmaking.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
All three films are in different ways concerned with how love affects their central characters, and all three are predictably stylish.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Each film is distinct from the other in its tone, which in some ways is good, but it also hinders any rhythm from emerging other than the fact that this club loves a certain city.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Only Woody Allen seems to have understood what is possible in a featurette.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
As Meatloaf once said, two out of three ain't bad
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Worth it for the Allen episode.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
Have a blast with the first story, fast-forward through the second and check out the last.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Two out of three ain't bad.
David Poland, Hot Button
Scosese's work alone is worth a viewing
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine
Scorsese's story of artistic obsession is underdeveloped (and Coppola's segment is entirely unwatchable), but Allen's hilarious comedy about the looming forces of motherhood saves the day.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Vale como exercício para os cinéfilos.
Mark R. Leeper, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Touchstone has given three popular directors a chance to work with a shorter-than-feature-length piece.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

New York Stories have two good tales: Life Lessons by Scorsese and Oedipus Wrecks by Allen. But Coppola's Life Without Zoe, it's terrible, boring and totally disappointing. The worse thing in the movie is Coppola being with others great directors. The 70's was a… More
New York Stories have two good tales: Life Lessons by Scorsese and Oedipus Wrecks by Allen. But Coppola's Life Without Zoe, it's terrible, boring and totally disappointing. The worse thing in the movie is Coppola being with others great directors. The 70's was a terrific time to Francis Ford and his classic pictures that gonna be unforgettable in cinema history, but all change in 80's and this status of master stay really weak. One of this disasters is the short film Life Without Zoe in New York Stories, and what make the movie be not very good. Scorsese and Allen save the picture... but not enough.
Jennifer X

None of these stories are really BAD per se; just really badly filmed and very nineties lighting. Woody Allen's segment was okay funny, Scorsese's thing was confusing but watchable, Coppola's...I don't even want to talk about it. I'll pretend it didn't… More
None of these stories are really BAD per se; just really badly filmed and very nineties lighting. Woody Allen's segment was okay funny, Scorsese's thing was confusing but watchable, Coppola's...I don't even want to talk about it. I'll pretend it didn't happen. There is seriously something wrong with the technique with which these shorts were made. Did they hire worse people to do the camerawork because they weren't given enough money?
Ken S

One again everything Sofia Coppola touches turns to shit. Tucked in between Scorsese's comment on art and Allen's delightful matriphobia comedy is Coppola's big floating turd of a short.
Tim S

Scorcese's is priceless. I didn't even watch the other two.
Pierluigi P

Scorsese's segment is the best, great story, cinematography and acting. Allen's one is pretty charming and funny, but Coppola knocks down the show with a worthless piece of childish crap.
Leigh R

Not being a Woody Allen fan, this movie wasn't all that bad. It kept my interest all the way through and that is a miracle in itself.
Lafe F

An anthology of three stories set in New York. #1 - Life Lessons - Nick Nolte is a famouse but crazy painter having love life problems. Fun and interesting to watch. Patricia Arquette does a wonderful job. #2 - Life Without Zoe - A girl and her friends have an adventurous… More
An anthology of three stories set in New York. #1 - Life Lessons - Nick Nolte is a famouse but crazy painter having love life problems. Fun and interesting to watch. Patricia Arquette does a wonderful job. #2 - Life Without Zoe - A girl and her friends have an adventurous birthday party in her huge apartment building. The kids have great fun living the good life. 3 - Oedipus Wrecks - Woody Allen is tormented by his mother, who hovers above him. Silly and typical Woody Allen stuff. Boo.
Adam M

worth it for the Scorsese segment alone, a small masterpiece
Steve B

This is a hard one to rate because I didn't like Coppola or Allen's segments so much, but I loved Scorsese's. Therefore, this rating is four stars for Scorsese, minus 1/2 each for Coppola and Allen.
Brian R

New York Stories is a fun picture mad up into three stories directed by three directors. Martin Scorsese directs Life Lessons, Francis Ford Coppola directs Life with Zoe, and Woody Allen directs Odipus Wrecks. Each one is unique but sadly the let down is with Coppola's piece Life… More
New York Stories is a fun picture mad up into three stories directed by three directors. Martin Scorsese directs Life Lessons, Francis Ford Coppola directs Life with Zoe, and Woody Allen directs Odipus Wrecks. Each one is unique but sadly the let down is with Coppola's piece Life With Zoe. Scorsese's version is the best based on Dostoyevsky's The Gambler and Allen's Odipus Wrecks is funny and sometimes weird. Overall I would recommend this picture.
Christopher B

I loved Scorsese's (I wonder if I'd find it a little pretentious now?) and Allen's films, but boy was Coppola's ever tough going. Still, two outta three ain't bad (thank you Meatloaf for your words of wisdom).
cody f

Marty's Life Lesson's is a five star film,but Woody's is OK and Coppala's is a waste of film!

Read all 12 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Nick Nolte as Lionel Dobie

            Rosanna Arquette as Paulette

            Patrick O'Neal as Phillip Fowler

            Heather McComb as Zoe

            Jesse Borrego as Reuben Toro

            Talia Shire as Charlotte

            Mia Farrow as Lisa

            Woody Allen as Sheldon Mills

            Peter Gabriel as Himself

            Illeana Douglas as Paulette's Friend

            Mae Questel as Mother

            Julie Kavner as Treva

            Steve Buscemi as Gregory Stark

            Giancarlo Giannini as Claudio

            Paul Herman as Clifford the Doorman

            James Keane as Jimmy

            Don Novello as Hector

            Selim Tlili as Abu

            Carmine Coppola as Street Musician

            Carole Bouquet as Princess Soroya

            Marvin Chatinover as Psychiatrist

            Jessie Keosian as Aunt Ceil

            George Schindler as Shandu the Magician

            Bridgit Ryan as Rita

            Edward I. Koch as Himself

            Victor Argo as Cop

            Brigitte Bako as Young Woman

            Mark Boone Jr. as Hank

            Adrien Brody as Mel

            Thelma Carpenter as Maid

            David Cryer as Suit

            Kirsten Dunst
            
            Chris Elliott as Robber

            Nancy Giles as T.V. Interviewer

            Helen Hanft as Citizen

            Michael Higgins as Robber

            Jodi Long as T.V. Interviewer

            Samantha Larkin
            
            Tom Mardirosian as Hasid

            Bill Moor as Mr. Lilly

            Paul Mougey as Guy at Blind Alley

            Jenny Nichols as Lundy

            Martin Rosenblatt as Citizen

            Mike Starr as Hardhat

            Ira Wheeler as Mr. Bates

            Deborah Harry as Girl at Blind Alley

            Richard Price as Artist at Opening

            Michael Rizzo as Waiter

            Annie-Joe as Citizen

            Paul Geier as Suit

            George Rafferty as Squiggy

            Larry David as Theater Manager
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started