jtindahouse
I make no bones about the fact that Adrien Brody is one of my least favorite actors working today. I find his delivery boring and his expressions uninspiring. So the fact that I was able to enjoy 'Manhattan Night' as much I did in spite of him says a lot. There's a lot going in this film. There are love stories, crimes, drama, mysteries and even the odd dash of action sprinkled into the mix. And it's all blended together exquisitely.Yvonne Strahovski really impressed me with her performance. I had previously seen her in 'Dexter' and enjoyed her in that, but this was a step up again. Brody in the lead role, whilst I didn't love him, was certainly in better form than he usually is. There is some narration by his character and it reminded me of 'Sin City'. Very dark and gritty and admittedly well done.If you'd told me I would enjoy 'Manhattan Night' as much I did before going in I would have laughed at you. It took me very pleasantly by surprise though and I would recommend giving this one a chance.
The Couchpotatoes
Film Noir like I like them. Even though there is not much action the movie is enjoyable to watch. It's all filmed at a slow pace, also with the calm narrating voice, but that's what this movie needs. It's a mystery drama that starts slow but once you're into the story it all gets better. The strange relationship between husband and wife Caroline and Simon Crowley played by Yvonne Strahovski and Campbell Scott is not the average day-to-day relationship and this is what makes the movie interesting. Add on that that Yvonne Strahovski is a candy for the eye. Adrien Brody plays like most of his roles, never flamboyant but always performing good. His character this time is also a very calm person that just tries to figure out some mysteries and solve some problems. But don't expect much action because there is hardly any, and the story doesn't really need action anyways. The story is strong enough for that. A good movie night assured.
Fella_shibby
I saw this on a rented DVD. I didn't c the trailer or read much bah it except that it being a mystery movie with Brody in it convinced me to pick the DVD. The movie started like Chinatown, a woman approaches a detective to look into her husband's death then 8mm n Jade came to my mind. A lil bit of Bringing out the dead too came to my mind. Well it's a very engaging neo- noir film. The initial 15 mins was slow. After that it really turned into an engaging drama/mystery movie. As a viewer I was totally glued to it n really wanted to know how it ends. The lead female has a past which many characters were curious to know. As a viewer even I became curious. Brody acted good. The plot was intriguing n interesting. The movie was entertaining. The relationship of the lead female and her former husband was truly bizarre.
aechambersnovelist
Admittedly I am a fan of film noir and this is a first class example of the genre. Brody is fantastic as the ill-fated journalist who falls for the femme-fatale, wonderfully played by Yvonne Stahovski. I barely recognised Campbell Scott from Royal Pains, who has a juicy role as an enigmatic, if slightly off-kilter, film director.The plot is typically film noir, but there are some enthralling twists and added mysteries as Brody searches for the truth, becoming enmeshed in a web of twisted behaviour and dark secrets.If you've never seen a film noir, watch this. It's classy, well paced, entertaining and gripping. A fine story, well told.
AD
