37 REVIEWED
“37” opens with a sense of hope in a changing time. Archibald and Joyce have just arrived in Kew Gardens. It’s a traditional neighborhood with a sizeable Jewish population, but they’re open to the integration efforts. From there, we bounce around their new apartment complex meeting seemingly unique families. But, that’s part of the problem. I can’t tell where personalities meet Todd Field meet caricatures. Everyone outside of the young African American couple is played in broad strokes.
The film hides inside of artistic flourish rather than attempting to being a record of the truth. It steam rolls over area crime and the reasons why the apartment dwellers didn’t help Kitty Genovese. Oh, did we not mention Genovese? That’s about how much attention the central figure of this movie gets. Her dying screams went unheeded by 37 neighbors, as she was raped and then stabbed to death at Kew Gardens in 1964. Whether it’s a true crime story mention or background filler in “Watchmen”, Genovese’s ghost haunts NYC.
There’s something to this film that would’ve been better served as an anthology. Standing alone like this, it feels like checking out a single episode of a 13 part series. There’s a larger story being missed and it’s not doing the audience any favors. Take that for what you will. If you’re in the NYC area tomorrow, check it out.
ANDERSONVISION INTERVIEWED 37’S DIRECTOR
FILM STATS
- 1hr and 25 mins
- Not Rated
- Regner Grasten Film
RELEASE DATE: 10/7/16
