When asked what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of NYC most would say skyscrapers. So if Manhattan is so well known for its amazing skyline, how does it compare to Dubai? Not very well, to say the least.

To some extent I think NYC is just another city. It would be false to say that there is nothing special about NYC. However, every city is different and unique and I don’t think some skyscrapers, or times square, or the statue of liberty makes NYC any more special and worthy of attention than any other city.

However, second only to Tokyo, NYC is the richest city. I think that is definitely the reason why NYC is so idealized. Money is almost always reflected in someway in the films we watched. Wall Street, The Producers, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s clearly express the importance of money through their clothing (Hepburn’s Givenchy dress), by showing how the rich live (Bud’s and Gekko’s fancy apartments), and by straight up talking about money. These three films also portray NYC as a center of power and wealth.

My favorite film would have to be The Muppets take Manhattan. The movie was very cute and funny. I really liked the fact that it was a film for all audiences and there were some truths in the film, like the rats in the restaurants, Mrs. Piggy getting street harassed, and Kermit getting hit by a car. The movie lacked substance which was fine by me as it was very entertaining- not all films need a greater purpose.

While none of these films we watched expresses my view of NYC, the Muppets take Manhattan and Wall Street do come close. Although I don’t see the need or purpose for all the hype NYC gets, one factor that set NYC apart it would be NYC is a place where people are after money, fame, or both.

I do think that money and fame are very very very very important factors in todays society- but more so here in NYC than in perhaps any other city in the world. Wall Street and The Muppets take Manhattan are similar in that they show people (or puppets) trying to “make it big” in the city and that NYC is a place where dreams come true. However they do so in very different ways. Wall Street portrays NYC as a place where deceit is necessary to climb to the top and the rich are marked with a brand of dishonesty. Many of the famous and rich got to where they are today by cheating, selling their morals, and stepping on others. While I believe that this is accurate 8/10 times. I think its possible for someone to succeed honestly- as shown in the Muppets take Manhattan. Also the dreams of the main characters in these films are are to be rich and to be famous- two qualities which are very characteristic of New York. I think you can find so many people willing to sell out for money and fame in NYC (Anyone come to mind?). New York maintains a culture where success= money and fame. NYC is definitely a city which overly romanticizes fame and money.