A Review: The Only Living Boy In New York

  

 By Darlene Donloe

There’s nothing like family! Family secrets and family drama are on overload in Marc Webb’s latest film, The Only Living Boy in New York, in theaters nationwide August 11, 2017.

Thomas is a young, recent college graduate who is smitten with Mimi, a smart, young beauty, who is in a relationship with someone else.  Mimi has Thomas’ nose wide open.  Thomas’ father (Pierce Brosnan) is a well-known publisher and his mother (Cynthia Nixon) is a former artist.

Kiersey Clemons and Callum Turner

While attempting to become his own man, Thomas (Callum Turner) moves across the city to work on his personal growth and development. There he meets W.F. Gerald, a new neighbor played by Jeff Bridges.  Gerald extols plenty of advice about love and life.  The two quickly become friends.

One night Thomas and Mimi (Kiersey Clemons) spot Thomas’ father out on the town with a younger woman. The two are in a booth in a restaurant canoodling. 

Kate Beckinsale and Callum Turner

In an attempt to find out more about the beautiful and sexy home wrecker, Thomas begins to follow her around town. He eventually gets too close and his cover is blown. Once the jig is up, Thomas, a bonafide preppie, asks Johanna repeatedly to stop seeing his father.  In a weird series of events Thomas and Johanna (Kate Beckinsale) eventually hook up. Yes, I said it.  They begin a sexual relationship. Thomas is sleeping with his father’s mistress.  Yes, I said it.

Callum Turner and Jeff Bridges

Cynthia Nixon and Pierce Brosnan

But, that’s not all. The plot thickens with Jeff Bridges and Cynthia Nixon. There is a twist in the movie that you don’t see coming, but is especially satisfying!

The Only Living Boy in New York is an entertaining and witty drama with believable and sharpened performances from a first rate cast.

The Only Living Boy In New York, (Amazon Studios/Roadside Attractions) directed by Marc Webb (500) Days of Summer) and written by Allan Loeb, stars Callum Turner, Kate Beckinsale, Pierce Brosnan, Cynthia Nixon, Kiersey Clemons and Jeff Bridges.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), The Only Living Boy In New York get an O (oh, yeah).

MPAA Rating: R (for language and some drug material); Running time: 88 minutes