The Last New Yorker

Guided by photographer-turned-director Harvey Wang's keen eye for Manhattan's fast-disappearing landscape of dive bars, diners, and bodegas "The Last New Yorker" is delightful chamber piece of romantic comedy. Old school New Yorker Lenny Sugarman (wonderfully played by Dominic Chianese) and his longtime best friend Ruben (Dick Latessa) eat breakfast everyday at the same diner that's been around since 1929 before roaming midtown to discuss their dreams, desires, and troubles. The nattily dressed Lenny has the hots for a woman he worships from afar, but can't muster the courage to speak to until a chance bus-ride makes it possible. Kathleen Chalfant plays Mimi Hotchkiss, the elegant object of Lenny's infatuation. Investment troubles cause Lenny to reinvent himself as a lo-fi investment broker/conman to finance his elderly courtship of the similarly aged Mimi. With some much-needed but indirectly delivered assistance from his broker nephew (Josh Hamilton) and Ruben, Lenny gets another chance at making over his life. You don't have to be a New Yorker to get a kick out of this great little gem of a movie.

Not Rated. 90 mins. (B) (Three Stars- out of 5/no halves)