Slaves of New York

Customer Reviews:

A total misdirection by James Ivory. 125 minutes of dull,dull,dull!!!.......2007-06-29

This film with it's enormous cast of talented actors portraying and poking fun at the Bohemian life of artists and their world in 1980's New York City is a totally not-funny, misdirected dull and completely annoying piece of pretentious story telling. It is a total waste of 125 minutes of life.Perhaps in the hands of Robert Altman, this film might have moved cleverly,but James Ivory is totally out of his or any element trying to make this film breathe with any form of artistic life or sensibility.This film fails as a comedy, a drama AND as a stinging indictment on the artistic world and it's view on relationships . The sight gags fall flat. The characters go no where as they drift along from person to person and place to place in the concrete jungle where life is cold and heartless for the starving artist.Even Eleanor,(Peters), in her attempt to get a life and have a fulfilling relationship is bogged down and unsympathetic in it's portrayal. This film has no soul whatsoever and trying to find anyone with which this artist/musician could identify was impossible. Bernadette Peters' genius is wasted. Actors such as Chris Sarandon,Stanley Tucci,Mercedes Ruehl and Steve Buscemi are total throwaways in this avant-garde portrayal of social climbers and pretentious self-seekers in New York.We are left with one conclusion: relationships probably are not ever going to be what you want or need them to be! Sorry...but I don't agree with that conclusion no matter how great or bad a film is.I understand what Tama Janowitz the author is attempting to convey, but James Ivory did not do it for her material in my opinion.Her work is hip and intellectual. This film is not.

SEX IN THE CITY ,COMPANY and even RENT are far more effective and interesting in portraying the craziness and supposed cold-fishiness of New York.

Quintessential New York.......2005-10-11

If you dog it, you've obviously never dared to live it. This movie is true poetic genius on all fronts.
One of my all time favorite films.

A Subtle, Dry Masterpiece.......2005-09-09

I first saw Slaves of New York when it was originally released quite some time after reading the book. I was drawn into the world of the 80's NYC Art Scene. The film is a bit austere, but I think that helps viewer's relate to Eleanor's (Bernadette Peters)struggle in life as an outsider-that she never gets the joke. Bernadette gives a rich and nuanced performance as Eleanor. She is the reason for seeing the film. She vacillates between giddy joy, depression, heartbreak, and triumph. Her introverted Eleanor is a joy to watch.
The colorful peripheral characters add spice and contrast, but it is Eleanor's story of finding her identity in an environment where everything is a facade.

This film is definitely not for everyone. Many talented people worked on this film and I found it charming on so many levels. It is definately unlike anything you have ever seen. If you love anything about the 80's culture, fashion, or pop world this is a must see. The fashion alone is a hoot. There are several priceless scenes.

Bad decisions all around.......2005-08-18

Hopelessly stiff in some parts, and unfunny in others, "Slaves of New York" doesn't have any center. James Ivory was perhaps a poor choice as a director; there is a restrained quality to the movie and nothing seems spontaneous. Ivory seemed to be trying for his own Altmanesque collage; the truth is, Altman should have been the one to direct this in the first place.

The casting isn't much better: Bernadette Peters does what she can with the role of Eleanor but she's too old for the part. Mercedes Ruehl is barely believable as an East Village bohemian; she looks as though she's playacting. Adam Coleman Howard is more whiny than anything as Stash and Nick Corri's character, while likeable, lacks the bite of the character in the original stories.

The one scene that really stands out is the three cross dressers lip synching to the Supremes' "Love is Like an Itchin' in my Heart" on the street at 6 a.m. That's a fantastic moment and one that really gives the movie any life, and will perhaps be the ticket to the movie not being forgotten entirely.

The extras are bittersweet. The late Ismail Merchant is interviewed, looking fit and healthy, and an unsmiling Tama Janowitz discusses the transition from book to film. Bernadette Peters looks exactly the same as she always has.

The Artist's Life of the '80s.......2003-09-05

I have to admit. This is the movie that made me want to drop everything and move to NYC to become an artist/writer/hat designer/club kid. Of course, I was 16 when I first saw it and wasn't going to be leaving my Colorado suburban abode anytime soon. But it still inspired me to one day visit NYC and run into the same characters in this movie. Not only is the story entertaining, but the movie style is indeed unique.

My only request: PLEASE MAKE THIS AVAILABLE ON DVD!
I would love to see bonus DVD material including a documentary on NYC in the '80s and commentary with the director and Bernadette Peters. Maybe Criterion will take this one on.

Description

First, a dialogue with actor Richard Gere about his new movie The Runaway Bride, in which he appears opposite Julia Roberts. Then, a discussion with Catherine Meyer of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about her custody battle with her former husband and book, They Are My Children, Too. Also, author of Slaves of New York, Tama Janowitz, introduces her new novel titled A Certain Age.

DVD:

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