Sidewalks of New York *** (2001, Edward Burns, Heather Graham, Rosario Dawson, Stanley Tucci, Dennis Farina) – Classic Movie Review 1610

Writer/co-producer Edward Burns directs this sprightly 2001 Woody Allen-style Manhattan relationship movie following the interlocking lives and loves of half a dozen New Yorkers.

Burns also stars as Tommy, a TV producer who has a fling with commitment-phobe schoolteacher Maria (Rosario Dawson) before getting involved with married real-estate agent Annie (Heather Graham), who realises her 39-year-old dentist hubby Griffin (Stanley Tucci) is cheating on her with 19-year-old waitress sexpot Ashley (Brittany Murphy). Hotel doorman and aspiring musician Ben (David Krumholtz) tries to pick Ashley up on the rebound after his divorce from Maria (Dawson).

Burns’s movie is a fairly witty, observant and funny date movie that will please Sex and the City fans. Maybe it would have been sharper and funnier if Woody Allen had made it – certainly in the 70s or 80s. But the performers are expert and appealing, and their acting’s very solid, especially from an on-form Graham, though the pleasant Burns could do with some more oomph in his acting.

Dennis Farina, Penny Balfour and Aida Turturro are also in the welcome cast, giving notable performances.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1610

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