In New York Stories, three segments are shown back to back, and they are all engaging in their own ways however it's only 2/3 successful as a total motion picture. Martin Scorsese's Life Lessons is a good example of what caliber of work Scorsese had when he made those three student films in the 1960's. It is a film that has a lot of depth, but it is quite worth it for fans of the actors and those who could get interested in Richard Price's story.

Coppola, director of THE GODFATHER and APOCALYPSE NOW makes Life Without Zoe here, a film that is 180 degrees out of whack from those two movies in that it tells the story of a little rich girl whose best friend is a doorman and revolves around a rich boy's birthday party. In a way, it almost could appeal to kids, but it's the wrong place to put in between a story of artists by Scorsese and a comedy of mother and son troubles by Allen.

Which brings me to the last short film, Oedipus Wrecks, where Woody plays a character whose mother suddenly out of the blue disappears. This is a good showing of what Woody can do in comedy without having to have a picture length presentation (not that he makes many bad films by the way).

So, New York Stories is worth checking out for Life Lessons and Oedipus Wrecks, and there could be an audience somewhere for Life Without Zoe, although the biggest flaw of the movie comes that neither one can connect at all outside of the fact that they all take place in New York and are made by New York directors- in short- fascinating and imperfect in some ways. B+

This is three separate stories directed by three quintessential NY directors. The first "Life Lessons" is directed by Martin Scorsese. Lionel Dobie (Nick Nolte) is a successful artist unable to paint. His assistant Paulette (Rosanna Arquette) is moving on after their romance but he's still clinging on. Her presence fuels his jealousy and his paintings. Francis Ford Coppola directs the second part "Life Without Zoë" with school girl Zoë (Heather McComb) living in a luxury hotel. The final story "Oedipus Wrecks" is directed by Woody Allen. Sheldon (Woody Allen) brings his fiancé Lisa (Mia Farrow) to meet his overbearing mother (Mae Questel). His embarrassing mother disappears after a magic box trick.

The Scorsese part is basically one dysfunctional co-dependent relationship. These characters don't change. It's a couple of grumpy people bouncing off of each other. I don't love this section but I do get the angry relationship. The Coppola section is just one rambling string of scenes. The little girl doesn't have enough charisma. There isn't enough fun or magic which is sorely needed in a story reminiscent of 'Eloise at the Plaza'. The Woody Allen section is the most fun. It's whimsical and mildly comical. It brings a smile to my face.

"New York Stories" is a film composed by three short stories directed by three great directors.

Martin Scorsese is responsible for the segment "Life Lessons". The successful painter Lionel Dobie (Nick Nolte) is obsessed by his assistant and muse Paulette (Rosanna Arquette) that humiliates him. This erotic tale is entertaining, with the obsession of a middle-aged painter by young women.

Francis Ford Coppola is responsible for the segment "Life without Zoe". This forgettable tale is annoying, based on the adventures of a rich kid.

Woody Allen is responsible for the segment "Oedipus Wrecks". The neurotic lawyer Sheldon (Woody Allen) is a middle-aged man that meets a divorced woman with children but is totally dominated by his mother. This surrealistic tale is the best in this collection. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Contos de Nova York" ("New York Tales")