Watch New Year's Day

New Year's Day is a 1989 American independent film directed by Henry Jaglom. The plot centers around two women, Steph (Maggie Wheeler) and Marilyn (Gwen Welles) who invite a handful of their friends to spend New Year's Eve and Day with them in a spacious Los Angeles apartment. The film begins with Steph and Marilyn cleaning and preparing the apartment for the New Year's Eve party. As they prepare, they discuss their past relationships and the men they have loved. The conversation sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is characterized by deep, introspective conversations between the characters.

As the party begins, the guests arrive one by one. There is the intellectual writer, Peter (David Duchovny), who is in love with Steph, and his glamorous and flirtatious girlfriend, Annie (Valerie Landsburg). There is also the mysterious photographer, Matt (Chris Shearer), who catches the eye of both Steph and Marilyn. Additionally, there is Jackie (Melanie Winter), who seems to be the most emotionally vulnerable of the group, and her husband, Ray (Mickey Cottrell).

As the night wears on, secrets are revealed and tensions rise. Peter and Annie's relationship is tested by Steph's flirtatious behavior towards Peter. Marilyn, who is recovering from a break-up, finds herself drawn to Matt, despite her reservations. Meanwhile, Jackie confides in Steph about her troubled marriage to Ray, and Steph must decide whether or not to intervene.

When the clock strikes midnight, the group gathers on the balcony to watch the fireworks show, and each character takes a moment to reflect on the past year and their hopes for the future. As the party winds down and the guests begin to leave, the characters are left to grapple with their emotions and their connections to one another.

Throughout the film, Jaglom uses a documentary-style approach, with the characters frequently breaking the fourth wall to address the camera directly. The dialogue is largely improvised, giving the film an authentic and naturalistic feel. The camera work is also notable, with Jaglom using a handheld camera to give the film a sense of immediacy and intimacy.

Overall, New Year's Day is a thought-provoking exploration of love, relationships, and personal growth. While the film may not be for everyone, those who appreciate thoughtful, character-driven dramas will find much to enjoy in this unique and insightful film.

New Year's Day is a 1990 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.