The Only Living Boy in New York (2017)

Thomas is a young man just trying to find his footing in the world. He's bucking against his privileged (but rather empty) upbringing and pining after a girl who has firmly categorized him as "friend" when he meets his new neighbor. WF is full of pithy wisdom and is very interested in hearing what's going on in Thomas's life, so much so that Thomas soon is seeking out his advice and company. When Thomas discovers that his father is having an affair, he becomes obsessed with and then embroiled in the situation.

I liked the set-up a lot. There was a sense of discovery and maybe a little bit of magic when the wise WF arrived on the scene -- but, it turns out, I was just projecting my hopes onto the film. In reality, this story's about a group who are playing out their expected roles and making themselves miserable. Yes, there's catharsis and everyone comes away from the situation in a bit more of an authentic place, but I couldn't help but feel that they'd soon fall back into familiar patterns rather than really learn the lessons they'd been given.

C+