Somewhere in the City (1998)

The upbeat, downtown comedy SOMEWHERE IN THE CITY was a theatrical Art House hit in over 40 cities and features the diverse talents of actors SANDRA BERNHARD("Without You I'm Nothing," "The King of Comedy"); PETER STORMARE ("Fargo," "Minority Report," "The Big Lebowski"); BAI LING ("Star Wars: Episode III," "Wild Wild West," "Red Corner," "The Crow"); ROBERT JOHN BURKE ("Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," "The Unbelievable Truth," Stephen King's "Thinner"); and the Italian starlet ORNELLA MUTI ("Swann in Love," Lucas Belvaux's "An Amazing Couple"). Accompanied by an original Score by Velvet Underground co-founder John Cale, the film also features the music of Yoko Ono, Ani DiFranco, Sandra Bernhard, Arto Lindsay and The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black. Director Ramin Niami draws from his documentary filmmaking past and long time residency in the East Village to orchestrate "The kind of film Woody Allen might be making if he were 40 years younger--all full of New York angst and lust!" (Entertainment Today)

SOMEWHERE IN THE CITY deftly threads the overlapping stories of six eccentric residents of a funky Lower Eastside building in New York City. These cramped apartments can barely contain the big dreams of their inhabitants: Betty (Bernhard) is a self-absorbed and self-appointed "food therapist," desperately seeking the right guy. Then there is Lu Lu (Bai Ling), a young Chinese exchange student looking for a green card marriage. There's also Marta (Muti), who endures the twice-daily caresses of the overweight super of the tenement-like apartments, but dreams of running away with Frankie (Robert John Burke), the dashing but incompetent crook who lives upstairs. Down the hall is poor Graham (Peter Stormare), the gifted Shakespearean actor who also dreams of finding Mr. Right and his big break while subsisting on demeaning commercial work.

Of course, all these hopes and dreams will prove irrelevant if the revolution being planned in the basement by Che (Paul Anthony Stewart) succeeds. Che endures calls from his Park Avenue mom, and succumbs to the seduction of Lu Lu, all while plotting to kidnap former Mayor Ed Koch (played by "Hizzoner" himself). Product Description

Great acting, great movie!

I saw this movie for the first time on video. I originally rented it for Paul Anthony Stewart and Bai Ling. What I ended up getting out of this movie was so much more than just seeing these two talented actors. This was really a story about a group of people, each trying to live their lives and discover themselves, who are interrelated simply because of the fact that they live in the same apartment building. Touching and certainly worthy of reaching cult-classic status. I watched this movie three times in one day before I was willing to return it to the video store! I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who is in his/her formative years or simply trying to come to terms with his/her independence. March 13, 2000

Has all the ingredients and performances of a cult classic

there are as many reasons to see this picture as there are apartments in the Manhattan block where all the characters live.I went to this movie to see Bai Ling and discovered many other excuses to see it again including Peter Stormare (from Fargo) and Ornella Muti (why isn't she in more films?) Whoever you go and see - good to see Bulle Ogier and Karen Black making appearances - you can't lose. Even Sandra Bernhard, whom I don't usually like, is good and very funny in this.That's the great thing about 'somewhere in the city', there are characters for all seasons, each with their own story which are all recounted with such under-stated humor so atypical of American films. Perhaps thats its problem, it is subtle. But here subtle means multi-layered.Most overlooked part of this needlessly overlooked film is John Cale's fantastic score. Where can I get that?This little gem of a film has all the ingredients and performances to become a classic. Worth checking out before it reaches cult-hood. July 26, 1999

A lively fun New York comedy that's also tender and touching

I first saw director Ramin Niami's film here in L.A. It reminded me so much of the fun and crazy times I used to have in downtown New York. (Times of love and lust and lots of laughs.) The performances from this large cast are a pleasure to watch and the film, while being a comedy, is also lyrical and touching. So many good actors -- Bai Ling, Peter Stormare, Ornella Muti -- taking on roles we normally don't see from them. I'm really glad I saw this film and can't wait to see it again on video. July 19, 1999

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