"The Only Living Boy In New York" (2017)

What a joy it would be if we all had a chance to bang Kate Beckinsale.

But this story is a lot more complex. And TON more pretentious. This movie is what we all come out of film school circa 2000 and want to make. It is that statement on the state of being in a listless life that attracts interests in some people.

Typical of director Marc Webb's stories, this is about humans in a interconnected world. One thing leads to another which segues into something else and we are spun into a relationship. A very old school way of making movies that...quite honestly, I am so very glad someone is making it.
This is the story of Thomas Webb, who as a Thom myself..despise that elongated name because it's so Mayflower...he is played by Callum Turner. His dumb goon like face makes you instantly gather he is a pretentious jerk. Turns out, he's the son of a rich publisher (which is how you can tell it's dated) Ethan Webb (Pierce Brosnan) who doesn't really believe in his writing. An oddball named W.F. Gerald (Jeff Bridges) moves into his building that supports his writing and has a natural curiosity for the lad. More curious about his relationship with a cutie named Mimi (Kiersey Clemons). Thomas also has to keep his mother's (Cynthia Nixon) depression at bay.

The story lingers a bit too long, but still has a charm to it. Not hilarious, and not chuckle, but a breezy old style storytelling you really miss. When the relationship adds Johanna (Kate Beckinsale) to the mix, you sense her being is much more a sexual muse than anything. It's hard to imagine someone that sexy and high-up in the smart lady world of independence having any emotions. She is a broken person, and it's cruel the life that is spun (Woody Allen's drama comes to mind).

Anyway, this is worth a really lazy afternoon watch. A little on the heavy lifting sides. And secrets are revealed that get your creative juices flowing again. But it is a little heartbreaking that you consider the sincerity involved in this movie only to have it bashed by cynical critics. This movie is not for movie lovers, but filmmakers who want to make more movies like this.