Autumn in New York (2000)

The Long Review:

Much like Love Story, Dying Young, and Untamed Heart, Autumn in New York is a love story that's perfect in every other way except for those nasty couple words: terminal illness. It stars Richard Gere and Winona Ryder as unlikely lovers because of the wide gap between their ages (he's 48, she's 22). Not to mention the fact that he's the most eligible playboy in New York and she's "22 and never been kissed." Oh yeah, there's also that pesky little detail: She's dying of a terminal heart illness.

The story of Autumn in New York is just about as original as unruffled potato chips. We've seen this same setup numerous times before, and each time, we cried. Well, same thing with Autumn in New York. The sound sniffling and nose-blowing could be heard from every corner of the theatre. It's contagious. Really. So even though you know what you're in for, you fall for the same old tricks, anyways.

Good acting from Richard Gere and Winona Ryder and dialogue that tugs at your heartstrings are the main causes of those waterworks. Richard Gere, with a lot of practice from Pretty Woman, has mastered the art of playing the dashingly handsome playboy. And Winona. Her big bright eyes and great big smile make her the perfect choice to play the part of gorgeous, innocent girl buying time so she could spend more time with her Prince Charming.

And buy time this movie does. In some parts, it seems to be moving real-time..as in slowly, so that Winona could so more kissy-kissy with Richard. Or it could also be Joan Chen's (the director) excuse to show off her cinematography tricks. We sure get a lot of picturesque shots of New York…made the Big Apple look like a quaint European town. Um. How nice. And sticking to this picturesque theme, sex scenes, instead of being well, sexual, are made sensual. There goes the good stuff! Hehehe. But hey, if you prefer to think of sex as some sort of Hallmark commercial, you'll like what they've done in Autumn in New York.

Oh, we should also mention the fact that apart from borrowing the storyline of other movies, also borrows a trademark move from a monster hit. But we won't spoil it for ya. The movie has a severe shortage of surprises as it is. But keep an eye on things when Richard and Winona do the kinky, k?

Overall, Autumn in New York is a feel-good movie that you could just as well enjoy at discount prices, or even better, at home, in front of a fire, with the object of your affection. If you feel like getting in touch with your sentimental side, Autumn in New York is a sure way to do it.

Ebert's satisfaction:

ebert says	moviegurus say
Great swatches of Autumn in New York are constructed, indeed, out of generic expectations. But the stuff in outer space is unexpected, the surprise waiting out there is genuine, and meanwhile, there's an abundance of charm and screen presence from the four veteran actors.	We agree that the four veteran actors had charm and presence. And that big chunks of the movie were built on generic expectations. But unlike you, we weren't surprised about any of the outer space stuff. Been there, seen that. We're surprised you haven't. We thought you've been around a while?!
The actors know where the laughs and thrills are and respect them.	Yup, it's a good thing that these big-name actors didn't overact to prove that they're still worthy. And they actually made us chuckle a couple of times!
We leave the theater with grave doubts that the scene depicted in the final feel-good shot is even remotely possible, but what the hell; it makes us smile.	Yeah, it made us smile because it was just so unbelievable. Oh, well. It was a good effort.