“I loved it. I loved the style of filmmaking. I loved the style of noir. I used to watch it with my dad” -Adrien Brody.
Manhattan Night premiered at the Regal Cinema Union Square on May 16. Directed and adapted by Brian DeCubellis and starring Adrien Brody and the stunning Yvonne Strahovski, the movie tells the story of New York writer Porter Wren (Adrien Brody) as he digs into the mysterious death of Simon Crowley (played by Campbell Scott). Along the way, he must juggle his passion for Crowley’s wife, Caroline Crowley (Yvonne Strahovski) and his love for his family and beautiful wife Lisa (Jennifer Beals) who can’t help but get caught in the dangerous web of blackmail, obsession and secrets.
The premier of this movie was well met with DeCubellis’s entire family there too support. Also there were friends of the director including Zachery Levi, Joan Smalls, David Chase and Constantine Maroulis, who took a day off of his rehearsals for his new Broadway play Friend Art (previews started May 17) to support his own friend of art, DeCubellis.
Actors and guests both had nothing but good things to say about the project and director.
On Decubellis’s adaptation of the novel, Campbell Scott said “Colin Harrison’s novel gets it. And Brian’s adaptation gets it. It keeps us guessing and shows the city in a really mysterious light.”
Even child actors were excited for audience members to get their first look at Manhattan Night. One of the most adorable and youngest members of the cast, Madison Elizabeth Lagares who plays Sally, Porter and Lisa’s daughter was also excited and eager to share about the movie. “She is very enthusiastic, she’s very fun and exciting, very much like me”.
While the children were great in the movie, the most amazing performances were those done by Adrien Brody and Yvonne Strahovski. Oscar winner Brody was not only the lead in the movie but also a producer of the work was also singing the praises of the movie, saying “I love this script. I thought it was really one of the best scripts I’ve read. I like Brian’s approach to filmmaking.”
When asked what they wanted the audience to get from the movie, most actors had the same response which Scott states perfectly when he says:
“I think it’s a really cool noir-y dark, new york-y film which is maybe attempted every few years but isn’t really nailed a lot because it either tries too hard or doesn’t hit it at all.”
Based on the cast and audience, it seems like DeCubellis’s adaptation of the novel Manhattan Nocturne successfully brings the noir to New York, and New York to the world.
Following the screening guests headed over to Ainsworth Park for cocktails and canapes. The film hits theaters this Friday.
