New York I Love You [Blu-ray] [2009] [US Import]

This film follows on from `Paris, Je T'Aime' but stands separate as a film in its own right. (The credits at the end refer to a third film, set in Shanghai, in the `Cities of Love' franchise, but I have no idea if this was ever produced.)

Instead of eighteen short films by eighteen directors set in eighteen separate arrondissements of Paris, this time we have eleven films, eleven directors, and no geographical distinctiveness. Unless you know New York well, it's difficult to know at times where a particular film is supposed to be based. Coney Island and Central Park stand out but most of the others are set deep in the Manhattan jungle. Another change from the Paris film is that many of the short films are more closely interwoven together, so that stories sometimes run in parallel, or are reprised later.

The directors are Jiang Wen, Mira Nair, Shunji Iwai, Yvan Attal, Brett Ratner, Allen Hughes, Shekhar Kapur, Natalie Portman (yes, THAT Natalie Portman, who also appeared in the Paris film), Fatih Akin, Joshua Marston, and Randy Balsmeyer. Stars include Ethan Hawke, Chris Cooper, Orlando Bloom, Christina Ricci, Anton Yelchin, Julie Christie, John Hurt, Shia LaBeouf, James Caan, Cloris Leachman amongst others.

The nature of these kinds of films means there is no time for deep characterisation, but some of the actors do a decent job; that's why, after all, they are great actors. It could also be argued that these kinds of films are for those with short attention spans. Perhaps, but there IS an overall cohesion to the play of stories, and that of course is the city itself. `New York, I Love You' is not as good as `Paris Je T'Aime', but it's enjoyable all the same.

I've not been to NYC but have seen loads of films based in and about the City and like any great cities, there's a core of people that make up a group that champion its community and identity. After 9/11, this spirit found an even higher plateau.

Look beneath the surface of noise, bustle and showbiz, are the people of course and as with any multi-ethnic and diverse population, there's a labyrynth of stories about them.

Some are going to be strange and some straightforward. It might seem a bit misty-eyed and sentimental to try and convince us that eleven directors each producing a snapshot can make up a mural that depicts all of the Big Apple but that's what seems to be the intention.

Blessed with a good number of very recognisable actors, that adds a connectivity and gravitas we should be bowled over. But, largely, we're not. It must all come down to the quality of the actual stories, which mostly are unmemorable. Perhaps they're just too short for us to get under their skin and allow us to appreciate them. Maybe, we're supposed to be in love with this movie enough to want to watch it over and again, to fully 'get' it.

My Amazon 3 stars for "it's OK" is for exactly that. My viewing was pleasant enough. I wasn't repelled or confronted by bad acting and the time passed satisfactorily. But that's like having a 'nice' shepherds pie and I can always buy another of those from Sainsburys again tomorrow.

Since John Hurt is one of my very favourite actors, my enthusiasm increased enormously seeing him halfway through. Though he says only two lines, it was the most beautiful and sad chapter of them all, with Shia LeBeouf and the radiant Julie Christie, playing a crippled hotel porter and opera star respectively.

Unless you really want to buy the DVD, catch it on TV. I watched it on Sky Arts.

I spent the majority of this film just watching thinking, I have no idea what is happening here! Really didn't understand some stories - especially Shia Le Bouff's - and just found a lot of it very odd. I bought it because I love New York and a lot of the actors in this but as well because a lot of reviews say it is like love actually - it is nothing like it!! I wouldn't watch it again and wish I hadn't wasted my money on it.