A Rainy Day in New York (2019)

Loved-up couple "Gatsby" (Timothée Chalamet) and "Ashleigh" (Elle Fanning) arrive in New York to spend the weekend together. Barely have they arrived, though, when she - a budding journalist - is given the opportunity to interview famous film director "Pollard" (Liev Schreiber) who introduces her to an actor who has designs on more than just her scribbling skills. Meantime, he decides to revisit some of his old haunts and flames as the rain pours down. Maybe a carriage drive through the park can restore the couple's equilibrium at the end of an interesting day? Maybe not? It's quite an easy watch this with Chalamet relaxed in his role as the posh boy - well he is called "Gatsby", revisiting his youthful life and learning quite a thing or two about his assumptions then and now. Fanning also delivers enthusiastically as the ostensibly naive young thing who'd never seen Manhattan before, but who quite quickly adapts to the gently predatory attitudes of the industry about which she wants to write. Talking of writing, though, that what lets this down a bit. It's all just a bit too bland, reliant on stereotypes and when it wants to shock it merely contrives to frequently make you cringe a bit instead. It's watchable enough; it's a good looking movie that shows off the sights of the city with some fine musical accompaniments including some vocals from Timmie, but otherwise it's entirely forgettable fayre.

'A Rainy Day in New York' is a faint, tinny echo of Allen's early masterpieces - yet another neurotic comedy-drama about an anxious hero in a tweed jacket who adores Cole Porter and black-and-white movies. It has no discernible point except to display some of Manhattan's swankiest apartments and most historic hotel bars.
- Jake Watt
Read Jake's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-a-rainy-day-in-new-york-a-waterlogged-romantic-comedy