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New York’s unique appeal is often unpredictable, rough around the edges, occasionally maddening, but always captivating – and so are its films. The Tribeca Festival, a New York City-based festival that will run from Wednesday to June 18, has long celebrated films set in New York and made by New Yorkers. This year, the festival will feature one of its founders’ films, “A Bronx Tale” (1993), which celebrates the richness of the neighborhood in which the story takes place, showing a deep appreciation for New York.
As the festival draws closer, let’s look back at some of the unforgettable ways that films have showcased the city’s true essence. Here are ten notable movies that have captured New York’s quirks and all, presented alphabetically.
Martin Scorsese’s dark comedy is a kinetic example of the “one-wild-night” story. Griffin Dunne delivers the perfect amount of poignant humor as Paul Hackett, an office worker, embarking on a night of misadventures throughout SoHo. Anyone who has ever stayed out late in New York is sure to relate to the madness that unfolds in “After Hours.”
Written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze, “Being John Malkovich” is a groundbreaking film that explores existentialism and identity. The movie also highlights some of the city’s idiosyncratic qualities, such as the seventh-and-a-half floor of an office building, which can only be accessed with perfect timing and a crowbar using the elevator. The film’s humor also features a memorable New Jersey Turnpike joke.
Spike Lee’s masterpiece explores the tension between residents in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant on a sweltering summer day. It may be bleak, but “Do the Right Thing” is also a love letter to the richness and vividness of personalities that New York possesses. The movie features a cast of unforgettable characters such as Mookie (Mr. Lee), Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn), and Sal (Danny Aiello), among others, building the film’s energy to a climactic ending.
Sidney Lumet’s “Dog Day Afternoon” is a spine-tingling thriller that follows Sonny (Al Pacino), who – after robbing a bank in Brooklyn – sets the city on fire as chaos ensues. Pacino’s electrifying performance captures the spectacle of New York and brings to life the thrill of living in the city.
Using the neighborhood of Washington Heights as its backdrop, Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of “In the Heights” captures the vibrancy of the city. The musical numbers are integral to this film, which includes a Busby Berkeley-inspired scene at the city pool and a surreal dance segment that has characters dancing on the outer walls of an apartment building. “In the Heights” features a winsome cast and is as enthralling as it is poignant.
Nicole Holofcener’s “Please Give” tells the story of Kate (Catherine Keener), a woman who encounters a homeless man outside a fancy restaurant but quickly realizes her mistake when he turns out to be waiting for a table. The film captures the tension between compassion and entitlement that plagues New York City. It is a fantastic portrayal of everyday New Yorkers and their insecurities and quirks.
Steve McQueen’s “Shame” is a melancholic love letter to New York City. The movie follows a sex-addicted man, Brandon, played by Michael Fassbender, as he roams the city, attempting to escape his personal demons. The film reaches a crescendo with a haunting rendition of the song “New York, New York,” performed by Carey Mulligan. The movie shows that sometimes living in New York City is challenging and that leaving to take a break from its sensory overload is okay.
Paul (Will Smith) may have won over the Upper East Side socialites by pretending to be Sidney Poitier’s son and befriending their children, but his ruse soon begins to fall apart. This acerbic, satirical film takes a sharp look at the ways in which class and wealth can both bring people together and keep them apart. “Six Degrees of Separation” is a biting commentary on the superficiality of many of New York’s elite.
The iconic “Taxi Driver” features Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, a lonely cab driver who becomes enamored with a young woman, portrayed by Jodie Foster. The psychological thriller delves deep into the heart and soul of New York City, painting the cityscape with its eccentricities, dark modes, and quirky denizens. Bernard Herrmann’s score is a beautiful accompaniment to the film’s pulsating energy, with De Niro delivering a performance that will stay with the viewer long after the film ends.
Charlie Ahearn’s documentary-like, fictional film follows the story of Zoro (Lee Quiñones), a graffiti artist in early-1980s New York City. The movie captures the vibrant soul of the city during the period and features fantastic hip-hop beats and graffiti-adorned subway cars. The party scene at the film’s close is guaranteed to have viewers moving to the beat.