"New York Stories" - (1988)

This film is composed of 3 separate vignettes by 3 of the greatest directors of our time. I first saw it in 1990 when it was on the shelf at a local library in Maryland, where I was living at the time. I have not seen it anywhere since then; certainly never on television, cable or otherwise. This copy turned up at a used book store in South Charlotte, and for the princely sum of $4 I took it home.

The first of the vignettes is called “Life lessons” and stars Nick Nolte; before the infamous mug shot; as a crazed and passionate artist named Lionel Dobie. He feeds off of his assistants in a never ending cycle of narcissism. As an important exhibition nears he finds himself unable to paint as he battles for the affections of his assistant Paulette; played by Roseanna Arquette; with whom he is besotted. Complicating matters is her relationship with Steve Buscemi, who plays a scheming performance artist. The relationship between Nolte and Arquette forms the core of the story, until she leaves and he continues the cycle with his next assistant. This film was directed by Martin Scorsese.

“Life without Zoe” is directed by Francis Coppola. It is the story of a young named Zoe; played by Heather McComb; a  girl left to raise herself while her parents travel the world. When they come home she is the one with the routine; the de-facto parent. Her parents are worldly and successful in their separate careers, but it is Zoey who is really the only thing that holds them together. In the end you have to wonder if they need her more than she needs them. There is also a sub plot in which she helps to return a piece of stolen jewelry which was given to her father to its rightful owner; an Arab Prince. This film shows a side of Manhattan that still exists today; the world of money and privilege to which we would all love to belong; or maybe not.

Woody Allen’s offering is “Oedipus Wrecks” starring Mr. Allen, as Sheldon, and Julie Kavner, as a psychic named Treva , before Marge Simpson; and with Mia Farrow as his fiancée; before the sordid allegations. Mr. Allen basically plays himself as a neurotic man. When his deceased mother won't leave him alone he complains to his shrink. When he gets engaged to Mia Farrow his mother takes to the skies above the city to enlist the publics help in stopping her son from ruining his life. When he sees a psychic to try and deal with his mother, he finds that he like her, and soon finds himself in a relationship with a woman who not only understands him, but also becomes friends with his mother. And though his mother may approve of the girl, how does that affect his perspective of the relationship? This is the type of Grade A comedy and wit you expect of Mr. Allen. Just scratch past the surface and I believe there is more than a bit of auto-biography going on here.

This is a wonderfully creative effort by 3 great directors who normally create feature length films. For established professional like these three, working within a limited time frame can sometimes be a liberating thing.

"Gangster Squad" with Nick Nolte and Sean Penn (2013)

Los Angeles of the late 1940’s and 1950’s was a time of rampant corruption among the police department, as they battled the local gangsters, who in turn, battled the gangsters from out of town trying to horn in on what was then known in Loss Angeles as the “combination.” Mickey Cohen inherited the position of leading the pack after his predecessor met an untimely passing.

Long the subject of movies and books; some non-fiction, some fiction; the story of Mickey Cohen, and the Police department he fought, have both became legends which will outlive time itself. Movies such as “L.A. Confidential”, and “Mulholland Drive” both set the bar high for examples of the better films about Los Angeles during this period. And this film lives up to those in respect to facts and settings. The set designs, as well as the costumes, are all perfect, giving a feel of authenticity to the whole film.

Sean Penn and Nick Nolte are both believable in their respective roles as the gangster who knows  no rules, and the Chief of Police who is of the same mind, only on the opposite side of the law as the notorious gangster. As hey battle wits, and exchange gunfire, there is a begrudging respect built out of their mortal combat, but still, there can be only one winner in this winner take all drama based on true events. Directed by Ruben Fleischer from a script by Will Beal, this film will have you riveted to your seat from beginning to end.

"My Own Love Song" with Renee Zellweger, Forest Whitaker and Nick Nolte (2011)

This is a very unusual film which explores the walls and boundaries, largely of our own creation, that divide us, and how we imprison ourselves within those walls. It's also about what it takes to break free of them.

When Jane, a wheelchair bound former country singer, played by Renee Zellweger, receives a letter from her son, whom she gave up as an infant, the only one who can help her in achieving her goal is Joey, played with brilliance by Forest Whitaker. He speaks to angels, and they speak to him. He has been in, and out, of mental hospitals, where he is drugged to the point at which he can no longer feel. He longs for the day when he can live alone again, just as Jane longs to see the son she gave up. With the obstacles facing this unlikely duo, it's a long shot at best that they will achieve their goals.

When Joey has a breakdown and destroys Jane's home, she is furious. When he sneaks back in the middle of the night to clean up the mess, she isn't any happier. But the incident serves as the catalyst for the two to undertake the seemingly impossible journeys, or achieve the seemingly impossible goals which they have set out upon. But through an unusual set of circumstances, and an equally number of unusual people whom they meet along the way, the two "cripples" wind up doing all they set out to do, and more. They learn that everybody, in their own unique way, is crippled, too. And that knowledge frees them from feeling that they are somehow different, or less capable than anyone else.

An outstanding performance by Nick Nolte, as a washed up guitar player, and a soundtrack featuring original music written and performed by Bob Dylan, help to make this is a somewhat "off beat" film. But that's only at first glance. Just scratch the surface and you will see a little bit of yourself somewhere in this film.