Slaves of New York (1989)

Basic Plot
"Slaves of New York" is a 1989 comedy-drama movie directed by James Ivory. Based upon the book of narratives by Tama Janowitz, the movie depicts the life of struggling artists in the bohemian world of 1980s East Village, Manhattan. The film highlights the difficulties and intricacies of a fractured romantic relationship and the severe realities of an artist's life in the middle of the rise of the nouveau riche generation in New York.

Main Characters
The main character, Eleanor (played by Bernadette Peters), is a hat designer and an artist wishing to succeed in New York. Her unclear sweetheart Stash (Adam Coleman Howard), is a painter whose skill is eclipsed by his ego and indifference towards Eleanor's dreams.

Story Development
Eleanor and Stash live together in a house that Eleanor can't manage on her own. She is considerably dependent on him for financial backing and worries being homeless if she leaves him. This dependence is the primary factor she remains, even when Stash continually dismisses her art and is unfaithful to her.

Eleanor's sensations of seclusion and her desperate clinging to her creative dreams are highlighted by the various subplots in the movie which involve other having a hard time artists. They too are "slaves" to their aspirations, the city, and the worry of poverty. These narratives often intersect and influence Eleanor's life and choices, as she browses through this precarious existence.

Conclusion
As the film progresses, Eleanor's eccentric ensemble of hats begins to gain recognition, shedding light on the style of 'making one's mark' in the extremely competitive art world. After experiencing a series of unfulfilling relationships, Eleanor begins comprehending her worth and gets the guts to step out from Stash's shadow. By the end of the movie, she lastly breaks free when she declines to be a 'servant' of the New York art scene or her emotionally far-off sweetheart.

Throughout the story, the movie juxtaposes the problems and struggles of the art neighborhood against the backdrop of the growing capitalist and materialistic society of the 80s. "Slaves of New York" paints a rich tapestry of bohemian New York, showing not just the journey of a struggling artist but the city's culture, aspirations and ironies because age.

Overall Reception
"Slaves of New York" got blended reviews from critics. Bernadette Peters' performance and Tama Janowitz's screenplay were praised, while some critics discovered the film lacking in depth and story focus. In spite of the review, the movie offers an insightful view into the adversities of struggling artists in an age understood for opulence and excesses. Furthermore, it evocatively shows New York's beauty and cruelty, and its magnetic appeal, that many become 'slaves' to.

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