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Plot Summary
Let Julianne Moore, Isaac Mizrahi, Michael Musto and other famous (and infamous) faces take you on a fantastic voyage to New York City's legendary Florent diner. For 23 years, the all-night eatery in the city's Meat Packing District was prime stomping ground for a surprising mix of A-list celebrities, tourists, families and club kids. This wildly entertaining documentary chronicles the history and final days of this outrageous icon.
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Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews
TOMATOMETER
83%- Reviews Counted: 6
- Fresh: 5
- Rotten: 1
- Average Rating: 6.4/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: It is a touching, elegiac tale of the rise (and some would say fall) of a colorful New York neighborhood under the relentless march of gentrification.
Fresh: A briskly paced, unself-consciously edited celebration that matches the giddy vibe of its namesake.
Rotten: When Julianne Moore enthuses about the fact that kids got crayons with their meals, you have to wonder if a short film might have suited this story better.
Fresh: The interviews and vintage clips are a vivid record of an extraordinary era in the city's history.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful Snapshot of a unique place and time
This film does a superb job of collecting commentary from a vast variety of characters and personalities — not just from different social strata per se, but also from different social 'dimensions'. That's appropriate, since it captures the culture and clientele that made Florent a one-of-a-kind nexus for anyone & everyone. I think the film serves two purposes in parallel; it's both a nostalgic, glowing, homage for those who were Florent habitués, and an accurate presentation for those who never visited. Kudos to the director and producers for bringing to us such a clear snapshot. Florent (the eatery) has a bright future, if only in legend. Florent (the man) will undoubtedly surprise us all again; watch and keep watch! (full disclosure: I'm in this film for about 2 seconds, though I believe this analysis holds. See for yourself! I think you won't be disappointed.)
Sweet memories of an era gone
This is a very sweet capture of a slice of life in New York's Meatpacking district the way it used to be. I have fond memories of Florent and it was at the top of my list because of the coolness and affordability. I had no idea of the inner workings or even that Florent was the name of the proprietor. So sad to see it go and cannot believe the greed and lack of care that drove Florent out. Worth the purchase or rent. Don't watch it with the kids as ther are a few speckles of language and flashy nudity.
Wonderful
I used to go to Florent to dinner with my mom when I first moved to NY at age 16. I adored it. There was so much love and acceptance. For all the wild and crazy people that went through that place it always felt safe, warm, like a big family. I loved all the personalities, characters, costumes. And the food was OUTSTANDING! Florent to this day made the best bouillabaisse I have ever had in my life. Watching this movie reminds me of the New York that I love. The New York that let me walk down the street dressed as Sally Bowles at age 17 flanked by transvestite show girls and sing "Cabaret" on the countertop of Florent (spot-lit by a handful of people holding flashlights! How genius!). Everyone that took part in Florent was artistic, bright, witty, fiercely intelligent and courageous enough to be themselves. The place was like Florent himself~ awake, alive, brimming with ideas, thinking, sharing, dreaming & manifesting. What a wonderful man and beautiful community. <3
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