New York Stories (1989)
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73% of critics liked it
(22 reviews) -
55% of users liked it
(9,229 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
- Directed By
- Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Mar 10, 1989 Wide
Critic Reviews
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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.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Only Woody Allen seems to have understood what is possible in a featurette.
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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.
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Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Allen's contribution is the only one that can be counted as a genuine success.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
New York Stories consists of three films, one good, one bad, one disappointing.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Nick Nolte
as Lionel Dobie
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Rosanna Arquette
as Paulette
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Patrick O'Neal
as Phillip Fowler
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Heather McComb
as Zoe
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Jesse Borrego
as Reuben Toro
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Talia Shire
as Charlotte
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Mia Farrow
as Lisa
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Woody Allen
as Sheldon Mills
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Peter Gabriel
as Himself
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Illeana Douglas
as Paulette's Friend
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Mae Questel
as Mother
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Julie Kavner
as Treva
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Steve Buscemi
as Gregory Stark
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Giancarlo Giannini
as Claudio
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Paul Herman
as Clifford the Doorman
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James Keane
as Jimmy
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Don Novello
as Hector
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Selim Tlili
as Abu
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Carmine Coppola
as Street Musician
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Carole Bouquet
as Princess Soroya
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Marvin Chatinover
as Psychiatrist
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Jessie Keosian
as Aunt Ceil
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George Schindler
as Shandu the Magician
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Bridgit Ryan
as Rita
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Edward I. Koch
as Himself
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Victor Argo
as Cop
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Brigitte Bako
as Young Woman
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Mark Boone Jr.
as Hank
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Adrien Brody
as Mel
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Thelma Carpenter
as Maid
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David Cryer
as Suit
- Kirsten Dunst
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Chris Elliott
as Robber
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Nancy Giles
as T.V. Interviewer
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Helen Hanft
as Citizen
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Michael Higgins
as Robber
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Jodi Long
as T.V. Interviewer
- Samantha Larkin
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Tom Mardirosian
as Hasid
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Bill Moor
as Mr. Lilly
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Paul Mougey
as Guy at Blind Alley
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Jenny Nichols
as Lundy
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Martin Rosenblatt
as Citizen
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Mike Starr
as Hardhat
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Ira Wheeler
as Mr. Bates
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Deborah Harry
as Girl at Blind Alley
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Richard Price
as Artist at Opening
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Michael Rizzo
as Waiter
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Annie-Joe
as Citizen
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Paul Geier
as Suit
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George Rafferty
as Squiggy
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Larry David
as Theater Manager