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6.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. A Bronx Morning remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so 'A Bronx Morning.' If you’re heading in expecting a big plot or characters you can root for, you should probably just skip it. This isn't that kind of movie at all. But for anyone who loves just peeking into history, or has a soft spot for really old city footage, this short film is actually pretty neat. It’s a real time capsule, though folks who need constant action or snappy dialogue will likely find themselves quite bored. 😴
It kicks off with this view from an elevated train, right? You get that rumbling, shaky camera feeling as it pulls into the Bronx. It immediately drops you right into that moment, that specific place, like you're riding along yourself.
Then it’s just… stuff. A whole parade of everyday life. You see people walking on the street, kids playing, shopfronts that mostly don’t even exist anymore. There's this one shot of what looks like a butcher, maybe, just standing there, doing his thing. No fuss, no big scene, just a moment.
And the cars! They’re so wonderfully clunky and boxy, it’s wild to see them just driving around. It’s less a story and more like someone just pointed a camera and collected a bunch of moments as they happened. A true collection.
Sometimes the shots feel a bit long, honestly. Like the filmmaker just sort of *left* the camera rolling. But that also kinda adds to its charm, you know? You get to just *be* there for an extra second, watching a trolley go by or someone sweep a sidewalk. No fancy angles, no dramatic music. Just real life, happening. It’s a quiet watch. Makes you think about how much changes, and how much kinda stays the same, too. Definitely not a "movie night with popcorn" pick, but it’s good for a curious afternoon. 🕰️