5/5 Slaves of New York : a modern classic
  by S. J. Howell
New York has changed since "Slaves of New York" was made. It has undergone a process of gentrification. Merchant-Ivory have created a motion picture which is nostalgic in an unique way, for a milieu that no longer exists, but lives on in our minds.

5/5 Love and Lust in Soho
  by Deborah B. Boyer (Florida)
Since 1989, this quirky and original little movie amused me and fed my inner Bohemian. Bernadette Peters portrays a gentle young woman in love with a misogynistic, unfaithful artist who paints popular cartoon characters. She designs hats. An amusing segment of New York's hip culturati, Slaves of New York peeks through the windows of creativity and oddity; and I'm dreaming of Soho.

1/5 A total misdirection by James Ivory. 125 minutes of dull,dull,dull!!!
  by KerrLines (Baltimore,MD)
This film with it's enormous cast of talented actors portraying and poking fun at the Bohemian life of artists and their world in 1980's New York City is a totally not-funny, misdirected dull and completely annoying piece of pretentious story telling. It is a total waste of 125 minutes of life.Perhaps in the hands of Robert Altman, this film might have moved cleverly,but James Ivory is totally out of his or any element trying to make this film breathe with any form of artistic life or sensibility.This film fails as a comedy, a drama AND as a stinging indictment on the artistic world and it's view on relationships . The sight gags fall flat. The characters go no where as they drift along from person to person and place to place in the concrete jungle where life is cold and heartless for the starving artist.Even Eleanor,(Peters), in her attempt to get a life and have a fulfilling relationship is bogged down and unsympathetic in it's portrayal. This film has no soul whatsoever and trying to find anyone with which this artist/musician could identify was impossible. Bernadette Peters' genius is wasted. Actors such as Chris Sarandon,Stanley Tucci,Mercedes Ruehl and Steve Buscemi are total throwaways in this avant-garde portrayal of social climbers and pretentious self-seekers in New York.We are left with one conclusion: relationships probably are not ever going to be what you want or need them to be! Sorry...but I don't agree with that conclusion no matter how great or bad a film is.I understand what Tama Janowitz the author is attempting to convey, but James Ivory did not do it for her material in my opinion.Her work is hip and intellectual. This film is not.

SEX IN THE CITY ,COMPANY and even RENT are far more effective and interesting in portraying the craziness and supposed cold-fishiness of New York.

5/5 Quintessential New York
  by Ashley Tyler (Brooklyn, NY United States)
If you dog it, you've obviously never dared to live it. This movie is true poetic genius on all fronts.
One of my all time favorite films.

5/5 A Subtle, Dry Masterpiece
  by Bettyboy72 (Buffalo, New York United States)
I first saw Slaves of New York when it was originally released quite some time after reading the book. I was drawn into the world of the 80's NYC Art Scene. The film is a bit austere, but I think that helps viewer's relate to Eleanor's (Bernadette Peters)struggle in life as an outsider-that she never gets the joke. Bernadette gives a rich and nuanced performance as Eleanor. She is the reason for seeing the film. She vacillates between giddy joy, depression, heartbreak, and triumph. Her introverted Eleanor is a joy to watch.
The colorful peripheral characters add spice and contrast, but it is Eleanor's story of finding her identity in an environment where everything is a facade.

This film is definitely not for everyone. Many talented people worked on this film and I found it charming on so many levels. It is definately unlike anything you have ever seen. If you love anything about the 80's culture, fashion, or pop world this is a must see. The fashion alone is a hoot. There are several priceless scenes.