Manhattan Romance (2015)

It’s unclear whether Tom O’Brien’s dramedy Manhattan Romance (2015) is an homage to Woody Allen or a rip off of the American auteur’s canon which includes the similarly-titled rom-coms Manhattan (1979) and Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) starring Diane Keaton and himself. In this indie flick, Mr. O’Brien plays a documentary filmmaker named Danny. Keep in mind, Mr. Allen had the same name in Broadway Danny Rose (1984) and played a documentary filmmaker in Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) as well. While Danny (O’Brien) interviews couples for his video, he struggles to manage his own relationships. Like most of the characters Woody’s portrayed (Alvy Singer in Annie Hall, Sandy Bates in Stardust Memories, Harry Block in Deconstructing Harry), O’Brien’s Danny is besotted with a neurotic free spirit (Caitlin FitzGerald) who can’t commit. If that’s not self-defeating enough, he has feelings for his bisexual friend (Katherine Waterston) who is already involved with a lesbian (Gaby Hoffmann). This unrequited love story also includes Gayle (Jessie Barr), Hal (Ian Sheehy), Trevor (Zach Grenier), Uncle Bob (Paul O’Brien), and Jarrod (Louis Cancelmi). The latter actor proves to be a scene stealer when he touts his hairy chest. The same can be said of the leading man who shows off his bare back when in the sack with his lady love. Or should we say lust? Like most of Allen’s movies, this pic is 94 minutes. No doubt, the brief run time leaves viewers wanting. This sentiment is certainly true when it comes to the lack of flesh flashing.