? New York is a city built for coming-of-age stories. The Only Living Boy in NewYork knows this playbook well, borrowing heavily from classics like The Graduate and Igby Goes Down. But while it aims for literary elegance and nostalgia, it ultimately feels like a carefully curated imitation rather than a fully realized story of its own.

The setup: Thomas (Callum Turner) is a privileged but lost college grad drifting through life in Manhattan. He’s hopelessly in love with his best friend Mimi (Kiersey Clemons), who has him solidly in the friend zone, and his relationship with his publishing mogul father, Ethan (Pierce Brosnan), is filled with resentment. Things get messy when Thomas discovers Ethan’s affair with freelance editor Johanna (Kate Beckinsale) — and when he starts an affair with her himself. Meanwhile, his eccentric, alcoholic neighbor W.F. (Jeff Bridges) takes on the role of life coach — and sort-of friend — offering advice and wisdom to navigate his love life.

The main issue? It feels like the film is borrowing from better films without adding anything new. The script relies on dramatic speeches and self-conscious philosophy and without actually engaging in serious character development.

Is it worth a watch? It depends. If you enjoy a good coming-of-age story set in New York and don’t mind a film that leans into its influences a little too hard, there’s some entertainment to be found here. The performances are solid, the cinematography is appealing, and at 88 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch the movie on Amazon Prime or catch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:26).

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