Watch Sidewalk Stories

Sidewalk Stories is a silent black-and-white film, released in 1989, directed and written by Charles Lane, who also stars in the movie. The film centers on a homeless artist, played by Lane, who lives a hand-to-mouth existence on the streets of New York. The story begins with the artist sketching caricatures of passers-by in a busy area in Manhattan. His caricaturing job is his source of income, despite being barely enough for him to survive. He then meets a young girl (Nicole Alysia) who is separated from her wealthy father and tries to steal his wallet to buy food. The artist catches her and takes her in as his ward, where they face numerous events together.

As the film progresses, they both encounter an array of colorful characters, including a wealthy art collector and a couple running from the police. Nevertheless, the heart of the movie remains the relationship between the artist and the young girl he tries to look after. The film takes on a more serious note when the artist is accused of a crime he didn't commit, and he must try to clear his name, with the help of the young girl he has taken under his wing.

Charles Lane directs the film with a delicate touch, relying purely on visuals and physical acting to tell the story. The film has virtually no dialogue, and the actors use their facial expressions and body language to communicate their emotions and convey the plot. The silent aspect of the movie gives a unique experience to the viewer while watching such a cinematic masterpiece.

The silent film style is an homage to the silent era of cinema, which provides a refreshing deviation from modern cinema, and its sound effects and heavy reliance on dialogue. A big part of this movie's appeal is the way Charles Lane's direction and screenplay express so much thought and emotion without the use of spoken words. Through this technique, he is effectively able to immerse the viewers in the experience and evoke a range of emotions.

Additionally, the cinematography of Marcia Tiersky is simply breathtaking, as she captures the rugged beauty and variety of life on the streets of New York. The black-and-white scenes of the city give a glimpse of grimy streets, crowded scenes, and high society architecture simultaneously with the segregated life of black people. Even the sound design of the movie compliments the tone perfectly.

Ultimately, Sidewalk Stories is a film of contrasts. It shows the gritty existence of living on the streets, the loneliness of it, and the incredible resilience of humanity. It demonstrates the reverence and resilience that the artist holds even on the darkest days, even when he wouldn't know where his next meal would come from. It is a film that lingers in the mind long after it is over, reflecting on the glowing beauty within a brief and tender snippet of life.

In conclusion, Sidewalk Stories is a visually captivating and deeply emotional movie with a heart-touching story that is further elevated by Charles Lane's direction and excellent performances by the cast. Even though the movie is from the 1980s, its strong themes and message are still relevant to people today. Anyone who appreciates artistic filmmaking and unique storytelling should watch this movie, as it reveals the beauty and sadness of the world around us.

Sidewalk Stories is a 1989 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 66.