A Rainy Day in New York

by Pa Rock

Film Fan

I know that it is politically incorrect to admit to being a fan of the works of Woody Allen, but  damn he's funny, and damn he can write, and damn he makes great movies!

And 2019's "A Rainy Day in New York" is, in my personal opinion, one of Woody Allen's finest films.  Damn, it's good!

The movie stars Timothee Chalamet as Gatsby, a young man whose passions are gambling, playing bluesy piano tunes in bars, and love.  Gatsby, who is a bit on the neurotic side and would have undoubtedly been played by Woody Allen himself a few decades ago, grew up in New York City with socialite parents.  His mother, in particular, is hellbent on him getting a college degree and being successful in life.  

As the tale begins Gatsby has experienced some unspecified difficulties at  his original college and has been shuffled off to to a private school in rural upstate New York for a fresh start.  There he has met and fallen in love with Ashleigh (Elle Fanning), a beauty queen from Tucson who is studying journalism.  Ashleigh has landed an interview with a reclusive director in New York City and Gatsby is anxious to accompany her to the Big Apple for the interview so that he can show Ashleigh his town.

Gatsby, whose pockets are stuffed with winnings from a big poker game, and Ashleigh take the bus to New York City and check into a nice hotel with a view of Central Park.   Early in the day Ashleigh takes off to interview the director, and Gatsby hits the streets to reconnect with a few old friends and his brother, while striving to keep his presence in the city hidden from his mother who is hosting a big social doo that evening.  As the day progresses Ashleigh gets bounced through a series of movie celebrity oddball encounters, and Gatsby inadvertently connects with Chan (Selena Gomez), the now grown little sister of one of his former girlfriends.

And then it begins to rain and complications set in - and before the day ends Gatsby and Ashleigh have each begun moving in different directions.

"A Rainy Day in New York" is a beautiful story about the impact that rain can have life and love.  It is Woody Allen at his absolute writing and directing best, and I liked it - a lot - twice!

Sorry about that.

Damn!