Some cities we fall in love with, without ever having been there. London, Paris, New York – they have all been featured in literally hundreds of movies. And who wouldn’t fall in love with these cities, so beautifully portrayed in numerous cinematic masterpieces? The enigmatic passion of Paris, depicted in the works of great directors like Bertolucci. The dynamic of London experienced through the talented acting of Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant. Or New York through the lenses of Woody Allen.
New Orleans and its unique charisma is also one of the most cinematic cities and is frequently showcased in films, as well as other works of fiction like books and plays.
We are going to take a glimpse at the most memorable movies set in New Orleans.
Angel Heart (1987) by Alan Parker
The dark, though-provoking and brilliantly photographed masterpiece of Alan Parker is the first stop of our Louisiana movie tour. Angel Heart is a winding psychological thriller from 1987, that was far ahead of its time. Mickey Rourke, in probably one of the best performances in his acting career, stars as Harry Angel, a private investigator from Brooklyn, who is hired by Louis Cyphere (Robert De Niro) to locate a mysterious singer named Johnny Favorite, who disappeared in the early ’40s and hasn’t been seen since.
Angel’s journey takes him from the streets of New York to jazz clubs in Harlem and, finally, to the mysterious lands of Louisiana. In the 50′s depiction of New Orleans, Harry Angel continues his journey in finding Johnny Favorite, but ends up finding more about himself.
Interview with the Vampire (1994) by Neil Jordan
The adaptation of the famous novel by Ann Rice is not only one of the landmarks of cinematic genius, but also one of the most famous movies depicting New Orleans.
The story is portrays the lives of two vampires Louis (Brad Pitt) and Lestat (Tom Cruise), each of them representing a different take on life. Louis, who began as a desperate man wanting to die, thinks of eternity as a never ending curse, while his immortal companion Lestat, lives every second as it comes and barely even considers the future. The story is told from Louis’ point of view and reveals his struggle to find meaning in the eternal live. The viewers are taken on a ride across the centuries and ever changing cities, as Louis’ outlook on life undulates and his relationships come and go in the eternity of time.
A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004) by Shainee Gabel
The movie, starring John Travolta, Gabriel Macht and Scarlett Johansson reveals the true nature of the New Orleans beat – a bohemian city, populated with writers, artists, musicians and dreamers running away from time itself.
The movie tells the story of Purslane Hominy Will (Scarlett Johansson), a teenage New Orleans native, who upon hearing of her mother’s death (a local singer) returns to New Orleans for the first time in years, ready to reclaim her childhood home. Expecting to find her late mother’s house abandoned, Pursy is shocked to discover that it is inhabited by two of her mother’s friends: Bobby Long (John Travolta), a former literature professor, and his young protege, Lawson Pines (Gabriel Macht). Two broken philosophers with an affinity for alcohol, who escaped to New Orleans after a traumatic event marked their lives forever.
The movie explores their intense relationships as they try to coexist, despite their differences in age, education and world view. Throughout the entire movie we get to enjoy the New Orleans landscape and atmosphere, that is an important piece in the overall storyline.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) by David Fincher
One of the most celebrated movies of 2008 and yet another masterpiece in David Fincher’s flawless filmography.
A visually and emotionally rich movie tells the life story of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt), a man born in the early 20th century in New Orleans, who ages backwards. His tale unfolds through a diary read by the daughter of his love, Daisy (Cate Blanchett). Throughout life he goes through the same things everybody else does – growing up and eventually growing old. He’s a thoughtful observer, discovering life from all different angles and spends his entire unique lifetime trying to understand one of the most complex emotions we feel as humans – love. His incredible life journey only allows him to get few blissfully happy years with the love of his life. These few moments, where their ages are in perfect unison – before she grows to be old and he becomes young.