I love this woman! Fran Lebowitz's astute observations are just the dose of medicine my millennial generation needs. She's so sharp and so entertaining to watch. I also get a kick out of seeing Martin Scorsese double over in belly laughs. Lebowitz has the gift of delivering her commentary shrewdly, but with a light-hearted tone that leaves you feeling upbeat and joyful. Pretend It's A City is a terrific start to the weekend.
66 Reviews
Love and hate New York
MiguelAReina17 January 2021
A love letter to New York from a critical perspective. These conversations between Fran Lebowitz and Martin Scorsese, which continue the documentary "Public speaking" (HBO, 2010), reel off diverse topics with a sense of humor. You could say that it is a snobbish, old-fashioned and curmudgeon look, but that is precisely one of the virtues of Lebowitz's thoughts. And, above all, it is a chronicle of cultural life in a magical and dark city.
Fran Lebowitz is Still a Hoot
pseawrig14 January 2021
If you've read Fran Lebowitz's clever essays from back when she used to write (i.e., before she succumbed to what has to be the world's longest case of writer's block) and you enjoy her sarcastic wit, you will no doubt enjoy this show. It is pretty much episode after episode of her riffing on various topics. I loved it! She is such a careful and original thinker with a razor sharp wit. Her style of humor, which stops just short of insult comedy, is pretty much what she's been doing since the seventies, but strangely, it suddenly feels very timely here.
Brilliant wit
davidbunworth9 January 2021
As an overseas visitor to NY for over 40 years I have loved the humour that you hear there when visiting. Fran Lebowitz has a brilliant way of describing NY and all it's travails Without doubt one the funniest clever and laconic delivery of lines by an individual. I loved Jackie Mason and his jewish influences in humour and Fran matches it all the way. Loads of laugh out loud moments and Martin Scorsese laughing with her is wonderful also. A joy and a must see!
It can't be less than a 10. It's wonderful
cutile_a10 January 2021
What a wonderful treat this is! The concept of the film is incredibly simple. It's a conversation but really it is Fran talking. About everything, mostly about NYC and also about everything. And to see Scorsese barely saying 2 words but laughing hard almost throughout it, yet to be completely gripped is such a surprise. You hang onto Fran's every word.
My personal favourite so far, I haven't finished the series - I'm on episode 6 and don't want to finish it just yet so I can enjoy it for a bit longer - my favourite moment so far is Fran talking about believing all the women who have called out the men taking advantage of them or abusing them: the me to movement. It is so empowering and validating because, as a woman who was once a girl and a young woman, I have been through all that and think exactly like Fran. This is just a small nugget of beauty of the whole series. There are so many, many more moments like this.
And what adds to its beauty is the fact that a woman who talks about being so angry and is ranting and raging about this and that can talking about things that are so inspiring and moving and hopeful. Thank you for such a treat.
My personal favourite so far, I haven't finished the series - I'm on episode 6 and don't want to finish it just yet so I can enjoy it for a bit longer - my favourite moment so far is Fran talking about believing all the women who have called out the men taking advantage of them or abusing them: the me to movement. It is so empowering and validating because, as a woman who was once a girl and a young woman, I have been through all that and think exactly like Fran. This is just a small nugget of beauty of the whole series. There are so many, many more moments like this.
And what adds to its beauty is the fact that a woman who talks about being so angry and is ranting and raging about this and that can talking about things that are so inspiring and moving and hopeful. Thank you for such a treat.
One of the only good things to happen to NYC during the pandemic
altereggo12311 January 2021
This series is mandatory viewing for all New Yorkers and strongly recommended for anyone else, whether you've visited, intend to visit, or wouldn't be caught dead here.
Fran Lebowitz and Martin Scorsese capture the feeling of the city from the 70s to the present perfectly. I've been here more or less the whole time and I just sat and marveled. Plus, one can't say enough about the editing, the music and the overall presentation of Fran Lebowitz's wit and wisdom. She's an unusual person and this is an unusual film, all in a good way. It's the perfect film for these times.
Fran Lebowitz and Martin Scorsese capture the feeling of the city from the 70s to the present perfectly. I've been here more or less the whole time and I just sat and marveled. Plus, one can't say enough about the editing, the music and the overall presentation of Fran Lebowitz's wit and wisdom. She's an unusual person and this is an unusual film, all in a good way. It's the perfect film for these times.
loved every second
ljwk21 January 2021
The missing perspective on life
maysamalrawashdeh10 January 2021
We tend to give so much weight for the younger generation to share their philosophies and views on life and, for some reason, this has become the mainstream (especially with the social media era). More and more, we are seeing a movement towards being politically correct, polarization, self-righteousness, obsession about health and wealth. At some point, you know what to expect and hear from everyone.
This documentary is everything but that. I never came across Fran before this documentary, however, here she comes with a completely different perspective on life, which is very relevant and important for the younger generation. You can't help but admire her wisdom, wittiness and raw views that speaks directly to your inner thoughts, and sometimes heart! This documentary has zero cliches and will grow on you (episode by episode) and keep you grounded.
This is my first IMDB review!
This documentary is everything but that. I never came across Fran before this documentary, however, here she comes with a completely different perspective on life, which is very relevant and important for the younger generation. You can't help but admire her wisdom, wittiness and raw views that speaks directly to your inner thoughts, and sometimes heart! This documentary has zero cliches and will grow on you (episode by episode) and keep you grounded.
This is my first IMDB review!
Hope there's a season 2
jftbomb12 January 2021
Raging Bull
barlowpalminteri17 January 2021
A hallmark of Martin Scorcese's films is his characters' excessive behavior. They go too far and reveal too much. The discomfort this creates in us viewers becomes our entertainment. On the pretext of color commentary about New York, he gives us Fran Lebowitz whose self absorption is the entertaining subject.
Loving it.
vochieng839 January 2021
Fran Lebowitz is a Funny Lady, But...
gsandra-268769 January 2021
Just looking at the opening overview of New York City, I would never want to live in a place so overcrowded and bleak. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where it's green, has mountains, rivers, and the Pacific ocean to the west of where I live in Washington State. I've been to several states in the north and nsouth, and also to Canada, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
This film was briskly edited and featured some of the best of Fran's quick wit and New York style. She clearly loves the city and its quirky norms. Maybe we all find the place that best suits our temperament.
This film was briskly edited and featured some of the best of Fran's quick wit and New York style. She clearly loves the city and its quirky norms. Maybe we all find the place that best suits our temperament.
Cliché, narcissistic, pretentious...
zkiko27 April 2021
Generic people worshiping some 'ballsy' older NY woman who repeats what every comedian or writer or person ever has said about New York already. A rich woman that lives in Chelsea and in a bubble of the rich and famous, telling us people what NY is about. And generic audiences gladly paying to sit in a stool to worship her, hoping to get accepted in that elite bubble. Sad state of affairs.
I can get more out of a few lines of 'The Message' if we're talking old NY. Or I can watch Scorcece's material before he became completely swallowed by the snob culture gang. Or '80 Blocks from Tiffany's ..the list goes on.
And for the new NY, id rather watch Louis CK tv show which is infinitely more creative with depicting the city. Or certain (skate)vids on youtube.
It will tell me so much more than this woman who seems to be a cliché hyperbole of herself living supersafe, yet the only thing that gives her an identity is living in ny.
NY is a city that has been gentrified to bits, and exploited and filtered from all that was raw and authentic. Sorry , I know (mostly privileged) ny'ers think its edgy to be from NY and its a huge part of your made up identity, but its all so void. So void of any substance. It's circle jerking at max to keep the lie alive. Same is happening to Amsterdam, same is happening to Berlin, to all big cities. It's all pimped out, and what's remnant are the echo's of what once was authentic. What stayed raw is being pushed out, and at the same time being looked down upon.
This whole thing is just super sad, and made me depressed.
Shame on you.
I can get more out of a few lines of 'The Message' if we're talking old NY. Or I can watch Scorcece's material before he became completely swallowed by the snob culture gang. Or '80 Blocks from Tiffany's ..the list goes on.
And for the new NY, id rather watch Louis CK tv show which is infinitely more creative with depicting the city. Or certain (skate)vids on youtube.
It will tell me so much more than this woman who seems to be a cliché hyperbole of herself living supersafe, yet the only thing that gives her an identity is living in ny.
NY is a city that has been gentrified to bits, and exploited and filtered from all that was raw and authentic. Sorry , I know (mostly privileged) ny'ers think its edgy to be from NY and its a huge part of your made up identity, but its all so void. So void of any substance. It's circle jerking at max to keep the lie alive. Same is happening to Amsterdam, same is happening to Berlin, to all big cities. It's all pimped out, and what's remnant are the echo's of what once was authentic. What stayed raw is being pushed out, and at the same time being looked down upon.
This whole thing is just super sad, and made me depressed.
Shame on you.
Fran Marty and NYC
marinostattaris13 January 2021
Its a treat to listen to Fran speak. And Martin Scorseze knows best on how to edit her jokes . i saw 4 episodes alleady and i loved it. Saving the rest for a wonderful time in front of my Tv box. You can never go wrong with Marty and Ny
Are You Kidding With The Blah Review! Totally Worth A Trip With This Lady!
farmontario11 January 2021
Flashbacks to some of the greatest times on EARTH...More Flashbacks to the Greatest Times on Earth...Sports Neutering (Laugh)!
A woman that self describes herself as "Do I Look Approachable" (Laugh).
C'mon knock the crust of yourselves you overindulged, self absorbed A-List types and lighten up a little just cause you didn't get the mini-series!
I WILL watch this a second rough for sure. I can't get enough about the little trip through the streets and eyes of someone living and growing with New York and her slips and falls along the way to be where she sits today. The references to the cultural effigies and their persuasion to progress as we also go along for the fashion trip!
I'm giving you Fran a big high five!
I WILL watch this a second rough for sure. I can't get enough about the little trip through the streets and eyes of someone living and growing with New York and her slips and falls along the way to be where she sits today. The references to the cultural effigies and their persuasion to progress as we also go along for the fashion trip!
I'm giving you Fran a big high five!
Superbly crafted
rrtiverton22 January 2021
Holy Freekn' Cow
ocracokeblues25 January 2021
Just Lebowitz complaining for 30min at a time
xfilesfannumber31 January 2021
I nornally love Scorsese and his work but this wasn't very good imo. Its just Lebowitz complaining, like we should care what she has to say because she seems to think she is the ultimate authority. And Scorsese just laughs the whole time. She wasn't funny. She just complains the whole time. There were a few mildly charming moments but overall thumbs down.
Method to her Madness!
propaganda2114 January 2021
I could listen to Fran Lebowitz all day. A lot of her observations are astute, clever and very funny. She's brilliant at describing New York and New York life, mixed in with a little of her personal biography, I was left wanting to know more about her. She would make a mint if she ever wrote her memoirs.
fresh but
mark-820309 January 2021
Stay for the credits!
aaronshowland7 February 2021
Tiresome
michle5331 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Fran Lebowitz has certainly earned her sourpuss wings by maintaining her spartan urban existence (though she gives the impression she lives in a Hell's Kitchen closet, when she actually has a fabulous home in Chelsea). And she's fun to listen to for awhile, complaining about this and that in an amusing fashion. But it quickly wears thin. She is, in reality, a cultural elite, despite her frequent insistence that nobody listens to her. She is an epitome of privilege, as is the film director interviewing her. The two of them are slumming in this series (the film director complains he was forced to go further south than 57th street), and it's a bit annoying. I had to stop watching after two episodes.
Lovely
ldsgymnast17 January 2021
We didn't really know what we were getting into when we started watching, just went off the Netflix trailer and it sucked us in. Best to watch an episode or 2 at a time, not a bing watch. Funny without being hilarious. And super interesting.
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