But it's a close call. There is, of course, no plot to contend with, and very little continuity in the development of character. The most interesting aspect is that character exposition -- as opposed to development -- is established quickly and maintained throughout. In other words, one annoyingly and mind-numbingly two-dimensional character after another. Sketches rather than full figures.
New York City once again becomes more important than any story taking place there. Each new face is no more than a caricature. Each scene repeats the previous one, or extends it ad nauseam. The death of Valentino takes longer on film than it would in real life, or so it seems. Just when the unsuspecting viewer thinks this dull shadow of an object of desire has breathed his last, the film editor cuts to a putative later scene in which Valentino is painted a bit whiter and hooked up to another tube. Surely the longest and least edifying death throes ever, rather like those parodies of final moments conjured up by Hollywood comedians of an earlier age.
But don't take my word for it. Watch this thing from beginning to end if you can bear it, and try to think of something generous to say about it. There's just got to be something -- anything.
New York City once again becomes more important than any story taking place there. Each new face is no more than a caricature. Each scene repeats the previous one, or extends it ad nauseam. The death of Valentino takes longer on film than it would in real life, or so it seems. Just when the unsuspecting viewer thinks this dull shadow of an object of desire has breathed his last, the film editor cuts to a putative later scene in which Valentino is painted a bit whiter and hooked up to another tube. Surely the longest and least edifying death throes ever, rather like those parodies of final moments conjured up by Hollywood comedians of an earlier age.
But don't take my word for it. Watch this thing from beginning to end if you can bear it, and try to think of something generous to say about it. There's just got to be something -- anything.