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Cast: Gerard Depardieu, Jacqueline Bisset, Paul Hipp

Director: Abel Ferraranter

Genre: Drama

Year: 2015

Rating: R

A sex-addicted French financier, a fateful hotel room encounter, and a scandal that would rock the world: the mighty Gérard Depardieu gives a fearless performance in this ripped-from-the-headlines saga of sin and sleaze from boundary-pushing director Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, Ms. 45). Inspired by one of the most high-profile public implosions in recent memory, WELCOME TO NEW YORK follows a prominent international banker (Depardieu) as he spirals out of control during a drug and sex-fueled trip to America culminating in a shocking incident involving a hotel maid and his subsequent arrest. Jacqueline Bisset co-stars in this provocative portrait of a man whose fall from grace sent shockwaves throughout the world.

"Welcome to New York" is based on a real-life "scandal" that involved the French diplomat Dominique Strauss-Kahn who was a member of French Socialist Party and also the Managing Director of IMF (Int. Monetary Fund) from 2007-2011 until he resigned due to an allegation that he had sexually abused a hotel maid. This is a fictional account of what happened.

I was drawn into the world of Dominique Strauss-Kahn right from the start. An important man, smart and powerful but yet his sex addiction drove him to do at least one terrible thing. The story was both engaging and very interesting but the film itself could have been so much better.

It starts off just fine and it gets even better after Dominique is arrested and charged with sexual assault but the film goes nowhere after that. There was so much more to tell yet the story kind of lingers until the end. They just left out way too much. It was like they told half the story and that is too bad because they wasted some terrific performances.

Gerard Depardieu gives an amazing performance as Dominique Strauss-Kahn. It has been said before but it deserves repeating, he was born to play this role. Jacqueline Bisset is also very good as his wife in the film. And the supporting cast was all fantastic as well. The acting was the best part of the film which was disappointing because this could have been something to remember.

Another thing I noticed is that the U.S. release is the cut/edited version on the film with a running time of 108 minutes while the director's cut was 125 minutes. That could have have had an effect on the film but I think the story just wasn't fleshed out enough. I did enjoy the film but at the same time I was left disappointed because I know there was so much more to tell and for whatever reason the film makers decided against it.

I recommend seeing the film for it's amazing performances but only as a rental. Available on DVD and Blu-ray, you can order the DVD HERE and the Blu-ray HERE.

Released by MPI HOME VIDEO

*** Out Of *****