Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Secret ending? No.
Running time? 125 minutes (~2 hours)
“Welcome to New York” is a French-American arthouse drama that is based on the Dominique Strauss-Kahn affair of 2011. It is about a scandal that envelops a powerful, aspiring magnate and politician. It stars Gérard Depardieu (Devereaux), Jacqueline Bisset (Simone), and Marie Mouté (Sophie Deveraux). It is rated R-21.
“Welcome to New York” is hardly the chirpy movie that the title sounds like. On the contrary, the title can be taken to be a form of dark humour, in that while the city is pictured as a giant den of vice and debauchery, it does not necessarily accept people of such a nature. Be prepared to go through a certain level of despair and darkness, because the movie doesn’t pull its punches when it comes to emotions.
Highlights
Experience of imprisonment
We experience the imprisonment through Devereaux’s perspective, and it shows what jail is like in a gritty fashion that’s complete unlike any other depiction I’ve seen before. It captures the despair and lack of dignity of going to prison in a vivid manner, from the caustic security guards to the simmering danger of the other inmates. But there are no cliches featured in the jail sequence, and hence the prison sequence stands out as painful, emotional scenes for our protagonist.
The fall of the central character
Devereaux is at the top of his game when we meet him, where he has everything he could possibly want. This makes his downfall contrast all the more from the beginning, when you see the breakdown of his relationships and the loss of his freedom, dignity, and stability. It’s a powerful juxtaposition of visuals, and despite the dislikeability of the main character, you still feel for him.
Depictions of depravity
The movie opens with scenes of sexual gratification and pleasure that are graphic, raw, and oddly realistic. It provides an insight into the lifestyles of the decadent and wealthy, and is truly an eye opener. Somehow, despite the extremity of the actions involved, it stills comes across as authentic, and that’s what makes the scenes all the more memorable.
Letdowns
Cartoonish depiction of sex addiction
The introduction and establishment of the protagonist as a fornication-crazed billionaire goes over the top, especially when he goes on and on about the importance of copulation in relationships. Undoubtedly, his sexual appetite is insatiable, but there are more subtle ways to put this across. Having him talk about it all the time and putting the other characters in uncomfortable situations makes it terribly unbelievable, and ends up looking like a very simplistic way to set up his character.
Unlikeable main character
It’s difficult to rationalise Devareaux’s actions, because he lacks any form of self-control. Mere minutes after facing the terrible consequences of his actions, he’s back to his old habits. It’s not that he has evil intentions, it’s more that his blase attitude towards his addiction makes him a very irksome character to watch. You might feel for him, and you will, but you’re not going to be rooting for him.
“Welcome to New York” is a rich, enthralling movie that requires heavy engagement to fully appreciate it. It’s a deep, philosophical movie that’s mature both in thinking and depiction, and is the type of film that all arthouse movies should aspire to be.
“Welcome to New York” opens in cinemas 16 July, 2015 (Thursday).
This review was also published on Yahoo.
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