The Only Living Boy in New York
A restless young Manhattan graduate becomes entangled in his father's affair and discovers that rebellion can reproduce the betrayal it condemns.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- witty
- self-conscious
- quiet evening
- new york movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film narratively messy and cloying, with tin-eared dialogue that weakens its coming-of-age and romantic drama despite a capable cast.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Thomas investigates and tries to disrupt his father's affair before sleeping with the mistress himself.
Neighbor and writer W.F. Gerald dispenses advice and worldly perspective to Thomas throughout his transition into adulthood.
Thomas moves from his parents' Upper West Side apartment to the Lower East Side and encounters W.F.'s very different world.
The publisher family, writer neighbor, affair plot, and Thomas's uncertain self-definition create a self-consciously literary mood.
Films like The Only Living Boy in New York, and why
The Graduate
shared coming-of-age drama, sexual entanglements, and disillusionment with parental ideals
The Squid and the Whale
shared literary atmosphere, affluent family dysfunction, and romantic uncertainty in new york
The Last Five Years
shared urban relationship drama, youthful self-discovery, and emotionally complicated infidelity
Movie Details
- Director
- Marc Webb
- Release Date
- 2017-07-27
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (382)
Cast
- Callum Turner
- Jeff Bridges
- Kate Beckinsale
- Pierce Brosnan
- Cynthia Nixon
- Kiersey Clemons
- Tate Donovan
- Wallace Shawn
- Anh Duong
- Debi Mazar
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Only Living Boy in New York about?
- A restless young Manhattan graduate becomes entangled in his father's affair and discovers that rebellion can reproduce the betrayal it condemns.
- What is The Only Living Boy in New York like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Only Living Boy in New York as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Only Living Boy in New York violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Only Living Boy in New York.
- What did critics think of The Only Living Boy in New York?
- Critics broadly found the film narratively messy and cloying, with tin-eared dialogue that weakens its coming-of-age and romantic drama despite a capable cast.
- Which films are like The Only Living Boy in New York?
- Films with a similar feel include The Graduate, The Squid and the Whale, and The Last Five Years.
- How long is The Only Living Boy in New York?
- The Only Living Boy in New York runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Only Living Boy in New York?
- In United States, The Only Living Boy in New York streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
