Reel Critics

*EDITOR’S NOTE: The Reel Critics column features movie critiques

written by community members serving on our panel.

Try summer escape to ‘New York’ in autumn

Some people may get better looking as they get older, but not

necessarily wiser. In “Autumn in New York,” such is the case with Will

Keane, who has carved out successful careers as restaurateur and

lady-killer, while avoiding any kind of personal growth in his

relationships with women.

Played with his usual smirky charm by Richard Gere, Will is a magnet

for beautiful women, especially after “New York” magazine puts him on its

cover. Doe-eyed designer Charlotte Fielding (Winona Ryder) picks his

restaurant for her 22nd birthday for that very reason and blushes like a

schoolgirl when Will catches her eye.

Ignoring the 25-year difference in their ages and the fact that her

mother was also one of his conquests, Will pursues Charlotte knowing full

well she is already smitten. After their first night together, Will is

giving his “I can’t give you anymore than this moment” speech and is

stunned to hear her agreeing with him. For Charlotte, all sparkling

beauty to the contrary, is seriously ill.

“Autumn in New York” takes old movie cliches and spins them into the

usual soap opera but with a lot of style and subtlety. Will is forced to

take a hard look at himself when things don’t go his way, and he allows

himself to be vulnerable to real love, pain and accountability for his

actions.

Director Joan Chen manages to bring out one of Gere’s best

performances. And I always enjoy watching Elaine Stritch, seen too

briefly as Charlotte’s boozy, blunt but ultimately hapless grandmother.

The city of New York has seldom looked more stunning outside a Woody

Allen movie. The dream-like quality does go a little overboard, i.e.

Gere’s slo-mo strut down a corridor, filmy curtains blowing in the wintry

breeze -- in a hospital yet.

But if you’re in the mood for romantic escapism, then this is the

perfect movie.

* SUSANNE PEREZ, 45, lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant

for a financial services company.

‘Autumn’ is season for someone you love

“Autumn in New York” is a beautifully presented story of

self-realization that is woven with a fine, gentle touch.

Every actor fulfills his or her character. Richard Gere as Will Keane

is an eminently successful restaurateur with a deserved reputation as a

lady’s man. Gere looks the part and plays Keane tautly.

Winona Ryder is luminous as Charlotte Fielding. Charlotte eyes Will

when she celebrates her birthday at his restaurant with friends and her

grandmother, Dolly, played by the irrepressible Elaine Stritch. Dolly is

less than enthusiastic about the attention being shown her granddaughter,

in large part because of an unpleasant history between Charlotte’s mother

and Will.

The sparks fly.

At this point you expect a cookie-cutter story; but no, we are drawn

into subplots. The director pursues the love story fearlessly and creates

a work of true poignancy.

The photography of New York landmarks with the gold-brown colors of

autumn is a picture book in itself.

Take someone you love to this movie.

*ELAINE ENGLAND, 65, lives in Newport Beach and owns a gift-basket

business she operates out of her home.