Should you watch this if it’s free? OK.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes, unless you have terrible objections to the subject matter or cast.
Score: 2.9/5
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 105 minutes (~1.75 hours)
“New York New York (纽约纽约)” is a Chinese drama about a pair of young lovers, A-Juan and Lu Tu, in 90’s Shanghai. But can pure love overcome materialistic ambition? It stars Du Juan (A-Juan), Ethan Juan (Lu Tu), Michael Miu (Mr Mi), Cecilia Yip (Ms Jin), and Yang Xuwen (Ah Kun). It is rated PG-13.
“New York New York (纽约纽约)” feels more like an arthouse film that’s polished to commercial film standards. It overdoes its slow, emotional shots and tries too hard to look like an arthouse film while still being something more mainstream. It’s this confused identity that prevents “New York New York (纽约纽约)” from being a truly great film, and it’s a pity to see all this wasted potential.
Highlights
Interesting setting
The film presents a highly romanticised version of Shanghai in the 90’s, with its choice of shots and characters. Locations look like present-day hipster cafes, and supporting characters embody the effervescent enthusiasm that era is associated with. It sets the mood for the romance between Lu Tu and Juan, allowing it blossom like the fragile flower it is.
Cecilia Yip steals the show as Ms Jin
Cecilia Yip plays the frank, enterprising Ms Jin, and steals the show in all her scenes. She tells it like it is, and overshadows both Lu Tu and A-Juan whenever they appear. But that’s not to say she’s just a hammy caricature. Her story arc shows her own character development, and tells a story about a woman who still seeks her fortune in a world of opportunities.
Letdowns
Du Juan is a wooden A-Juan
Du Juan struggles to emote in this film, and most of her emotions have to be inferred from the dialogue. She’s just starring into the distance most of the time, with barely a hint of feeling on her face. Even her smiles seem like she’s forcing her mouth to go to extremes. Fortunately she’s easy on the eyes, but even so, it’s painful watching her act.
Pointless pacing
The movie is by no means long, but every shot is. You can literally feel “New York New York (纽约纽约)” crawling from scene to scene as it takes its time to establish places and people. It doesn’t feel like it’s padding for length, but the shots also don’t feel warranted. The atrocious pacing makes you lose interest in the romance long before the complications arise, and could have been trimmed much more.
Everyone has a single tear rolling down their face at one point
The director is evidently fond of close-up shots of a sad character, as a single tear rolls down his or her face, because almost every character is subject to that shot. Standing up, lying down, facing another person — every possible permutation of this shot is done in the film. I lost count of how many times it happened, and even the supporting characters get in on the act. By the end, it has lost all meaning, and become more of a comedic shot. This is indulgent directing of the highest order, and it’s surprising that nobody told the director how ridiculous it was to include so many of them.
“New York New York (纽约纽约)” is a romantic drama that fails to live up to expectations.
“New York New York (纽约纽约)” opens in cinemas 14 April, 2016 (Thursday).
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