MovieChat Forums > Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) Discussion > Street Scenes in SOHO

Street Scenes in SOHO

posted 11 years ago by tin_man_2000
3 replies | jump to latest

One of the things that strikes me about this film is the condition of the buildings in the neighbourhood when Michael Caine's character is racing around in order to "accidentally" meet up with Lee as she is walking to her AA meeting.

Given how polished, some would say sanitized, the area is now, full of retail shops and a certain coffee vendor that will not be named, it is quite something to see how abandoned and run down that area was in the late 80's. There are some who would argue that it may even be a little too clean today, completely lacking any of the soul it once had.

It's quite a challenge, I think, to find a balance between maintaining the character of a neighbourhood like that and succumbing to the seemingly unstoppable force of the usual consumerist nonsense that seems to be taking over so many urban areas, especially in NYC.

[–] yajji 11 years ago

I noticed this too. The NYC of the 80s makes for a very cinematic place, something that cannot be evoked today. Nine 1/2 Weeks also comes to mind, it's full of fantastic 80s New York vistas.

The only place I've been to that gave me the same vibe that Manhattan gave off in the 80s was Sydney and its juxtaposition of urban grit and class that New York City embodied so well is very apparent in that city, too. Toronto came close but it's just too sterile to have that kind of soul.

[–] mikema74 10 years ago

I'm watching this movie now on cable and I was trying to figure out the streets he was running around. A part of me misses the NYC of the 80's. It's too commercialized now.

[–] cheapfrill 10 years ago

Agreed. I always felt the true star of this film is New York City. In 1986 I was 29 and going no where fast in my dumpy hometown. After this flick... knew I wanted an inner city urban lifestyle. Found it. Not in NY but DC. No other movie so affected the course of my life.