Search - Adrift in Manhattan on DVD

Fragments of Coincidence and Connection

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 02/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Though there have been many films of late that address the issues of the isolation of the individual in a society increasingly settling for homogeneity, few have the honesty and simplicity of presentation as Alfredo De Villa's ADRIFT IN MANHATTAN. Perhaps the reason this film works so well is that instead of dealing with the usual tropes, De Villa restricts his story to three individuals who are suffering isolation in the noise and autonomy of New York City and are thus 'adrift' in a life that seems flat and without a beacon of hope. The story De Villa weaves is one of interaction of these characters by almost serendipitous incidents, moments that change their lives - at least for a while.

Teenager Simon Colon (Victor Rasuk) lives with his overbearing mother Marta (Marlene Forte) and gets through his life almost without speaking, working in a camera shop, spending his idle hours photographing people in the park. Tommaso Pensara (Dominic Chianese) is an elderly painter and music lover who lives alone and supports himself by being the 'mail boy' in a large firm: his loneliness is heightened when he discovers he has macular degeneration and will go blind. The physician who makes his diagnosis is Dr. Rose Phipps (Heather Graham) who is grieving from the recent death of her 2-year old child and is unable to continue her marriage to literature professor Mark Phipps (William Baldwin).

The threads of coincidence begin to tie these people together when Simon begins to photograph Rose in a manner that resembles stalking, when Tommaso notices and desires and older lady at his workplace, Isabel Parades (Elizabeth Peña) and is encouraged by Dr Rose to share his potential blindness with this friend, and when Rose explores the attention Simon bestows on her, filling an emotional need for both parties. Naturally the development of these intersections is more complex but at the same time the manner in which they develop is very tender and gentle.

Some viewers may find the film meandering a bit too much: this is not linear storytelling but rather shifts in incidents and moods and gradual changes that occur among these simple but needy people, much like the coincidences and random kindnesses occur to the sensitive eye. The cast is very fine and the cinematography and musical score sustain the mood of the piece. This film requires involvement on the part of the viewer, and that involvement has its rewards. Grady Harp, February 08
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Three Strangers Lost In The City

prisrob | New EnglandUSA | 02/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The city of 8 million, and in this city Simon, Rose, and Tomás are lonely and lost souls. Their lives become entwined and we begin to see the souls of the lost.

Rose is an optometrist who has lost her two year old son who fell out of an open window. She can never forgive herself so can anyone else? She has separated from her husband and he wants to find his way back, but Rose?

Simon is a young man interested in photography,working in a photo shop and one day he sees Rose and starts photographing her. She becomes an obsession and he follows her. Simon lives with his alcoholic mother and life is difficult for them both.

Tomás is a painter and works as a mailman at a business. Rose has just told him that he is going blind. He has no family or close friends. But he is interested in a younger co-worker and their relationship takes hold.

These three people live along the 1/9 subway line and much of the story takes place in the subway. We see Rose getting off the subway and having coffee in the park before she goes to work. Simon is following her and Tomas is having increased difficulty with his vision. He cannot see to paint and he cannot tell his new love he is going blind.

Each of them is existing in a place of their own and none can ask for help. It is only when Rose confronts Simon that something changes. Rose also talks and advises Tomas about his disease and his new relationship. This contact with each other brings them back into the world and their lives can move on, to what, we are not sure.

I found Heather Graham as Rose lacking in emotion. I did not feel her pain as much as sense it, and she was unable to connect with me. Simon was excellent in his portrayal as the confused teenager. And, Tomas was superb in his role as the painter lost in his blindness.

This film was a nice surprise but in saying this, the film did not go anywhere. We are left to suppose and I want to suppose all is right in the world.

Recommended. prisrob 02-10-08

Shout
Killing Me Softly (Unrated Edition)
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A little disappointing.

DrData | MI | 02/05/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Was a little disappointed with this movie. It was just so-so, dragged on mostly. Heather was interesting but nothing like her other films."

Amazing and Insightful

barry | Boston, MA United States | 09/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This film directed by Alfredo De Villa is an intense emotional journey told through the lives of three main characters whose lives intertwine. I found this film very real, emotionally stimulating and totally thought provoking. From the beginning I was caught up and the experience was a honest, heart wrenching experience.

All the acting here is superb. Heather Graham leads the cast in an amazing performance as a very mysterious eye doctor. Add in Victor Rasuk in a career making performance as a 20 year old photographer who becomes obsessed with her and Dominic Chianese as one of her patients who is also excellent. All the characters here are shown very realistically and their lives are troubled and multi layered. The script as well as the directing desrve high credit here. We become involved and totally invested in these peoples lives. They are introduced vaguely and as the film progresses we discover all about their lives and the complexities of the issues they are all dealing with.

This was truly one of the best films I have seen in a long time. It is very intelligent and the way all the characters lives become entwined is very believable. This film was an emotional journey I will not soon forget. ADRIFT IN MANHATTAN does not manipulate the emotions of the viewer but rather tells the stories openly and honestly and allows the viewer to feel their own emotions.

I truly don't understand the low ratings here. I highly praise this film and also highly recommend it. Give yourself the treat of a film that will treat you the viewer with intelligence and provide a truly emotional and thought provoking journey."