Wednesday, October 3, 2018

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK: PREDICTABLE AND PRETTY

 


MVD has joined the ranks of companies reclaiming past films that are being ignored by studios and releasing them in blu-ray format. Their MVD Marquee line has just begun with a few offerings mainly from MGM and if they continue fans will be pleased. A few recent purchases I’ve made from Kino left me disappointed as they contained the movie and nothing else for what I consider a high price tag. The same isn’t true of MVD Marquee Collection products. Not only will you get the movie in great condition but they’ve included the extras that would have been found on previous releases of these films. So let’s look at the first one, AUTUMN IN NEW YORK.

Released in 2000 Richard Gere stars as celebrity chef Will Keane, a handsome womanizer whose restaurant is one of the most successful in New York. Unwilling to commit to one woman and believing that romance is something that doesn’t truly exists he has his world view changed when he meets Charlotte Fielding (Winona Ryder). They meet as she is celebrating her 22nd birthday with friends and her grandmother Dolly (Elain Stritch), an old friend of Will’s. It seems that at one time Will dated Charlotte’s mother.

Will finds himself drawn to Charlotte and it doesn’t take long before they’re in bed together. Attracted to her unlike any woman he’s ever met he makes sure to let her know this isn’t a long term affair. He’s surprised when she responds that she agrees by telling him that dying. She has a tumor growing near her heart and they’re not sure how long she has.

Their age difference is something neither worries about but his past history is something that concerns Dolly. She doesn’t want to see Charlotte hurt like Will hurt her mother. Will is torn about what to do, for the first time feeling that love is a possibility. He begins a search for a doctor that can treat Charlotte.

As all of this is unfolding another woman, Lisa (Vera Farmiga), enters Will’s life. At first we’re left to wonder if this might be someone he had a fling with. Instead it turns out to be the daughter he knew was out there but never met. As his relationship with Charlotte grows he begins one with Lisa does as well, Will finally trying to be the father he never was. While we watch and wait we hope that Will will discover that there is a chance for love.

The movie is a combination of two types of film. One is the terminal romance film that was made popular with movies like LOVE STORY. The other is the picturesque New York film. In the first one or the other member involved in the love story contracts a disease that almost always results in being fatal. The victim is normally bathed in a Heavenly glow and looks great until their death scene. In the second we’re presented with a view of NYC that is all positive. No drug dealers, no crime, no trash in the street. Instead it’s always someone incredibly successful who lives in an apartment that in reality would costs a fortune and the views are always gorgeous.

There’s nothing wrong with either genre of film and this movie makes that point. With a story involving the potential loss of someone dear it makes you appreciate those around you more. And the views of NYC that are depicted here show that amid the worst potential areas possible there is also great beauty. Both are things worth considering at all times.

The movie has a gorgeous look to it with city scenes amazing to look at and both stars looking at their peak. Their performances could have easily become ham handed but neither one chooses that direction, instead they bring a sense of light hearted happiness to their roles in spite of the subject matter. Perhaps not during the latter moments of the film when tragedy strikes but as they grow with one another for sure.

The movie has that classic Hollywood feel to it, as if the film could have been made back in the 30s and with little more than a change in actors and techniques been as acceptable then as it is now. It’s one of those melodramas that Better Davis or Greta Garbo could have starred in. In spite of the theme it comes off as a light film, a Harlequin romance novel come to life. If that type of movie is something you enjoy, odds are you’ll want to check this one out.

Extras on this film are limited but better than many Kino titles I’ve seen. Included are a photo gallery for the film and the original theatrical trailer. 

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