Slaves of New York
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| Slaves of New York | |
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 movie poster for Slaves of New York |
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| Directed by | James Ivory |
| Produced by | Ismail Merchant Gary Hendler Fred Hughes (associate) Vincent Fremont (associate) |
| Written by | Tama Janowitz based on her stories |
| Starring | Bernadette Peters Adam Coleman Howard Chris Sarandon Mary Beth Hurt Madeleine Potter |
| Music by | Richard Robbins (score) Boy George (theme song: Girlfriend) Michael Butler & Johann Carlo Neneh Cherry Les Rita Mitsouko Joe Leeway Ambitious Lovers Inner City Iggy Pop Maxi Priest |
| Cinematography | Tony Pierce-Roberts |
| Editing by | Katherine Wenning |
| Distributed by | TriStar Pictures |
| Release date(s) | March 19, 1989 |
| Running time | 124 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Slaves of New York is a 1989 comedy-drama directed and produced by the team of James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, and starring Bernadette Peters, Adam Coleman Howard, Chris Sarandon, Mary Beth Hurt, Madeleine Potter, and Steve Buscemi.
Based on the stories Slaves of New York by Tama Janowitz, the film follows the lives of struggling artists in New York City during the mid-1980s.
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[edit] Plot
The story follows Eleanor, an aspiring hat designer, and a group of artists and models in the "downtown" New York City art world. Eleanor lives with her younger boyfriend Stash, an unknown artist who is unfaithful and treats Eleanor with careless indifference. Eleanor expresses her feelings for Stash when she tells him that she was once attracted to him because he was dangerous. She stays with him despite the crumbling relationship because she has no where else to live--she is, in effect, a "slave."
When a clothing designer (Wilfredo) discovers her hat designs and offers to use them in a fashion show, Eleanor gains the self-respect -- and money--to leave Stash. There is an elaborate fashion show sequence.
While buying food for a celebratory party, she meets Jan and invites him to the party. After the party, Eleanor and her new friend talk, and then ride off into the morning sunrise.
This film is a cult classic amongst the gay communities in the United States. It is notorious for a scene that features a very convincing drag act performing Love Is Like an Itching In My Heart by The Supremes while making their way down a street in full regalia.
[edit] Production
Tama Janowitz had written a script for Andy Warhol, based on the Eleanor and Stash stories. When Warhol died, Merchant-Ivory bought that script.
In discussing casting the role of Eleanor, James Ivory commented: "...but out of 100 girls, there was not a single one with Miss Peters's originality. We wanted someone unusual and different but also ingenuous and not too knowing." (New York Times, Erica Abeel, March 12, 1989.)
Slaves of New York was shot on location in the Lower East Side of New York City, starting on April 4, 1988, with a 10-week shooting schedule. There was a "modest" budget--$5 million, that meant there were no lengthy rehearsals. There was one read-through before shooting began. (New York Times, April 5, 1988)
[edit] Responses
Domestic gross was $463,972 according to boxofficemojo. Reviewer Janet Maslin wrote: it"...simply drifts from situation to situation" and is "never terribly involving" (New York Times, March 17, 1989).
[edit] Cast
Starring
- Bernadette Peters as Eleanor
- Chris Sarandon as Victor Okrent
- Mary Beth Hurt as Ginger Booth
- Madeleine Potter as Daria
- Adam Coleman Howard as Stash
- Nick Corri as Marley
- Charles McCaughan as Sherman
- John Harkins as Chuck Dade Dolger
- Mercedes Ruehl as Samantha
- Joe Leeway as Jonny Jalouse
- Anna Katarina as Mooshka
- Bruce Peter Young as Mikell
- Michael Schoeffling as Jan
- Steve Buscemi as Wilfredo
Co-starring
- Michael Butler as Performance Artist
- Johann Carlo as Performance Artist
- Richy Canatta as Saxophonist
- Betty Comden as Mrs. Wheeler
- Anthony Crivello as Hairdresser
- Christine Dunford as "B"
- Adam Green (son of Adoph Green) as Max
- Tammy Grimes as Georgette
- John Harkins as Chuck Dade Dolger
- George Harris as Super
- Paul Jabara as Derelict
- Sakina Jaffrey as Wilfredo's Receptionist
- Tama Janowitz as Abby
- Freddy Korner as Party Guest
- Anthony La Paglia as Henry
- Philip Lenkowsky as Fritz
- Maura Moynihan as Mona
- Richard Steinmetz as Party Guest
- Stanley Tucci as Darryl
[edit] Trivia
- This was Bernadette Peters' second role as a hat designer, having played one in the 1985 Broadway musical Song and Dance.
- There are several cameos in this film: for example, Producer Ismail Merchant, lyricist Betty Comden and Adam Green, son of her writing partner, Adolph Green, and Tony-Award winning actress Tammy Grimes appear in party scenes.
