Late Fame is a beautifully written, directed, and acted film. Thanks to the fantastic performances from its cast, it captures the feeling of living among artists and pseudo-artists in today's New York. That is no coincidence. Ed, the main character, arrived in NYC in 1979, almost exactly the same time that director Ken and actor Willem Dafoe landed in the Big Apple.
As its title suggests, Late Fame is a slice-of-life film. We are dropped straight into the action, with no lengthy introductions or explanations. Ed is an ordinary man living in Soho, and we understand who he is immediately. We are simply invited to witness this peculiar episode in his life. His life was ordinary before, and it will be ordinary again afterward, something we sense from the very beginning.
Ed is a "vintage" character, and nothing is trendier for today's generation than vintage. Vintage offers identity and differentiation from the crowd and from mass consumption. The young men who recruit Ed into their circle reflect this generation's restless search for meaning and identity. They turn their backs on technology and social media while paradoxically still living by its rules. Their interest in poetry and art is less about genuine inspiration than about how they believe others will perceive them. The film highlights their hypocrisy: young, wealthy individuals seeking meaning in art to give depth to their lives while trying to escape the very superficiality of capitalism that still sustains them.
In stark contrast stands Gloria. She comes from a poorer background and acts alone, unlike the young men who need a group to validate their voices. Gloria is timeless, an embodiment of New York itself. She is a true artist who lives for her craft. Her past is only hinted at, but it already reveals tragedy and disillusionment. Her diva side is only partially fulfilled. She struggles to find real gigs and seduces aging postmen and young students rather than Hollywood stars. Yet despite her struggles, she remains an artist at heart.
And then there is Ed. Unlike the others, Ed is an open book. This makes us wonder if the story is actually more about everyone around him than about him. He is another embodiment of New York, a witness to changing times. Like many ambitious souls in the city, he experienced a small moment of fame, only later than most. He reminds us that while the city is constantly changing, its dynamics, dreams, and archetypes endure.
