In Manhattan, where 11 million folks live, one can still feel very alone. Dr. Rose Phipps (Heather Graham) certainly does. She has recently suffered the death of her toddler son and it has caused her marriage to fall apart. Ex-husband Mark (William Baldwin) lives elsewhere and has tried a new romance, with mixed results. Meanwhile, Tomas, a mail clerk by day and a painter by night, is startled to learn he is going blind. This news was delivered by Dr. Rose, who urges him to call his family for support. He has none. However, Isabel (Elizabeth Pena) is a co-worker who has his best interests at heart. Finally, Simon (Victor Rasuk) is a twenty- something who works in a photo shop and takes artistic photographs on the side. Unfortunately, his mother is a troubled lady who drinks too much, never having got over her husband leaving her. She has made incestuous gestures to her son, which has left him shy and a virgin. Spying Rose on the street, as these folk all live and work near each other, Simon begins to take photos of Rose, beautiful ones. Is he interested in Rose as a woman? How will all of these troubled lives go on? This stunning film is very touching, very disturbing in parts, and very adult. Though not overly described, the topics of masturbation, incest, and voyeurism are present. This will tell some viewers to "stay away". Yet, the stories are touching as these flawed folks have sad and lonely lives but might, finally, establish connections with others. All of the cast members, Graham, Baldwin, Rasuk, Pena and the rest are quite wonderful. This term also applies to the scenery, script and thoughtful direction. If you can get past a touch of objectionable material, Adrift in M is a piercing examination of the human experience.
Review of Adrift in Manhattan
