by Pa Rock
Film Fan
Thomas Webb has already come of age in the sense that he has finished college, experienced sex, and is living somewhat of a Bohemian lifestyle which is foreign to that of his socialite parents who reside in a more upscale section of Manhattan. Yet with all of those accomplishments in the bag, "The Only Living Boy in New York," of which Thomas is the title character, still has the distinct feel of a coming-of-age tale.
Thomas (Callum Turner) has had sex one time with the beautiful Mimi and is badly smitten, though to her he is just a good friend who is making more out of the encounter than she intended. Mimi (Kiersey Clemons) is focused on a career opportunity in Croatia - and Thomas is suffering from despair.
One day after returning to the building where he has taken up residence since moving out of his parents comfortable apartment, Thomas encounters a new resident in the lobby. The older man (Jeff Bridges) deliberately and quickly inserts himself into the young man's life and begins to function in a role somewhat akin to life coach and therapist. One of his first suggestions to Thomas with regard to Mimi is to make himself more interesting. Other than a penchant for giving advice, the older man's history and motives remain a mystery until later in the story.
One evening while Thomas and Mimi are out enjoying a meal, they happen to see Thomas's father, Ethan (Pierce Brosnan) sitting at a table and nibbling on the ear of a beautiful young woman who is not Thomas's mother. Thomas relates that experience to his older confidante, and the man suggests that if the opportunity arises, Thomas might consider opening a window and pouncing.
Later when Thomas encounters the woman, Johanna (Kate Beckinsale) coming out of his father's office, he decides to follow her. But Thomas quickly tires of the game of cat-and-mouse and opts to confront Johanna directly - at which point he learns that she has been aware of his awkward attempts at surveillance, and she has known who he was all along. The two develop a sparring-partner relationship, and soon afterward Thomas pounces and lands in bed with his father's mistress.
Thomas's mother, Judith (Cynthia Nixon), gets drawn into the story, Mimi begins to sense that Thomas is more interesting than she had thought he was, and then all of the loose ends of the story begin coming together to form a beautifully complicated knot.
According to the Internet Movie Data Base, this is the third version of this movie that has been made since 2000, and while not having seen the previous two, I would still hazard a presumption that this one, by director Marc Webb and Amazon Studios, is the most satisfying. "The Only Living Boy in New York" is a sharp story with witty dialogue and compelling characters. The entire cast is amazing, and Callum Turner and Jeff Bridges, in particular, turn-in remarkable performances.
"The Only Living Boy in New York" is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. I recommend it without hesitation or reservation.
Film Fan
Thomas Webb has already come of age in the sense that he has finished college, experienced sex, and is living somewhat of a Bohemian lifestyle which is foreign to that of his socialite parents who reside in a more upscale section of Manhattan. Yet with all of those accomplishments in the bag, "The Only Living Boy in New York," of which Thomas is the title character, still has the distinct feel of a coming-of-age tale.
Thomas (Callum Turner) has had sex one time with the beautiful Mimi and is badly smitten, though to her he is just a good friend who is making more out of the encounter than she intended. Mimi (Kiersey Clemons) is focused on a career opportunity in Croatia - and Thomas is suffering from despair.
One day after returning to the building where he has taken up residence since moving out of his parents comfortable apartment, Thomas encounters a new resident in the lobby. The older man (Jeff Bridges) deliberately and quickly inserts himself into the young man's life and begins to function in a role somewhat akin to life coach and therapist. One of his first suggestions to Thomas with regard to Mimi is to make himself more interesting. Other than a penchant for giving advice, the older man's history and motives remain a mystery until later in the story.
One evening while Thomas and Mimi are out enjoying a meal, they happen to see Thomas's father, Ethan (Pierce Brosnan) sitting at a table and nibbling on the ear of a beautiful young woman who is not Thomas's mother. Thomas relates that experience to his older confidante, and the man suggests that if the opportunity arises, Thomas might consider opening a window and pouncing.
Later when Thomas encounters the woman, Johanna (Kate Beckinsale) coming out of his father's office, he decides to follow her. But Thomas quickly tires of the game of cat-and-mouse and opts to confront Johanna directly - at which point he learns that she has been aware of his awkward attempts at surveillance, and she has known who he was all along. The two develop a sparring-partner relationship, and soon afterward Thomas pounces and lands in bed with his father's mistress.
Thomas's mother, Judith (Cynthia Nixon), gets drawn into the story, Mimi begins to sense that Thomas is more interesting than she had thought he was, and then all of the loose ends of the story begin coming together to form a beautifully complicated knot.
According to the Internet Movie Data Base, this is the third version of this movie that has been made since 2000, and while not having seen the previous two, I would still hazard a presumption that this one, by director Marc Webb and Amazon Studios, is the most satisfying. "The Only Living Boy in New York" is a sharp story with witty dialogue and compelling characters. The entire cast is amazing, and Callum Turner and Jeff Bridges, in particular, turn-in remarkable performances.
"The Only Living Boy in New York" is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. I recommend it without hesitation or reservation.
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