Sidewalks of New York (2001)

56% of critics liked it
(91 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(5,006 ratings)

A documentary film crew follows the lives of six New Yorkers as their lives unexpectedly intersect -- or at least that's what writer, director, and actor Edward Burns would like you to believe in this comedy-drama that looks at the rocky road of relationships in the Big Apple. After sharing the… More A documentary film crew follows the lives of six New Yorkers as their lives unexpectedly intersect -- or at least that's what writer, director, and actor Edward Burns would like you to believe in this comedy-drama that looks at the rocky road of relationships in the Big Apple. After sharing the stories of their earliest sexual experiences with an interviewer, six people are trailed by a cameraman through the course of an average day. Tommy (Edward Burns) is a successful television producer (and unsuccessful novelist) who becomes quickly infatuated when he meets Maria (Rosario Dawson) in a video store. Maria is a teacher at an upscale private school who has just gotten out of a bad marriage with Ben (David Krumholtz), a struggling musician with a day job as a doorman. Ben, on the other hand, finds himself attracted to Ashley (Brittany Murphy) when she waits on his table at a coffee shop. Ashley, as it happens, is involved in an affair with Griffin (Stanley Tucci), a dentist who is chronically unfaithful to his wife Annie (Heather Graham). Annie, a real estate agent, also happens to be friends with Tommy, one of her customers, bringing the circle to a close. Shot in only 16 days, Sidewalks of New York marked a return to (relatively) low-budget filmmaking for Edward Burns, who directed two less-than-successful major studio projects following his breakthrough with the independent feature The Brothers McMullen. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Edward Burns
Written By: Edward Burns
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 21, 2001 Wide
On DVD: May 21, 2002
Studio: Paramount Classics

Critic Reviews

Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
At first, it seems like Burns' most unoriginal, least exciting movie to date. But it's much more than that because Burns brings some astute, prickly observations to the mix and actually works against the idea of predictability.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
If Sidewalks is still a pretty hard film to laugh at, that's not because it stirs horrific memories. The laughs don't come easily because the humor often feels forced.
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
As a romantic comedy on your film menu, Sidewalks of New York holds the romance and serves comedy on the side.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Make no mistake, [Burn's] damn good at his singular craft, adept at building and oiling this particular machine. And it runs as smoothly as ever -- the plentiful laughs arrive right on cue, as do the occasional moments of near-poignancy.
Steven Rosen, Denver Post
It is nice that Sidewalks reflects a younger, multiethnic New York, one in which not everybody is wealthy and middle-aged or older as Allen's New York increasingly was. But diversity is no substitute for quality.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
My own instinct tells me that Sidewalks of New York doesn't work and doesn't go anywhere, but there are a few talented performers on display.
John Esther, Pasadena Weekly
A Charmed Life---Men are pigs and women play games in "Sidewalks of New York."
Alex Ramirez, Cinenganos
La cinta en el global es una opción atractiva si buscan una cinta ligera y que hable de un amor posible en un grupo de caóticos seres que cohabitan en ese micro-universo

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

'Sidewalks of New York' is one of those movies which I instinctively knew in advance that I would enjoy. And I did. It takes a few minutes to adjust to the style of the 'news bulletin' opening, and quirky camera cuts, but once you attune, you can settle down to a… More
'Sidewalks of New York' is one of those movies which I instinctively knew in advance that I would enjoy. And I did. It takes a few minutes to adjust to the style of the 'news bulletin' opening, and quirky camera cuts, but once you attune, you can settle down to a Woody Allen-type saga of several everyday lives in Manhattan, intersecting neatly. Perhaps a bit too neatly, but this is not totally predictable, and you never really know who is going to end up with whom, or not as the case may be. This film confirms my suspicion that Heather Graham has got what it takes to be my Number One. Never has she looked so sweet and adorable, and I'll gladly stalk those sidewalks for a chance meeting.. The rest of the cast are also likeable, and I can't really find any real fault at all. Brittany Murphy continues to play diverse roles capably, easily passing as a 19-year-old here, although she's considerably older (I think). A refreshing change from formula
Leigh R

Crazy... worse than a triangle romance.
Juli R

This is a story about three couples in New York. Their stories are woven together, as the couples all trade partners. All of the characters are very self-absorbed. There are moments when they speak directly to the camera, which illustrates how we often say things and do something… More
This is a story about three couples in New York. Their stories are woven together, as the couples all trade partners. All of the characters are very self-absorbed. There are moments when they speak directly to the camera, which illustrates how we often say things and do something else. I would've liked this film to be a little more "Woody Allen" and less "Sex in the City". Nice to see Brittany Murphy in this role. RIP.