Manhattan

New York looks best in black and white. In few films is that more evident than Manhattan. Woody Allen and cinematographer Gordon Willis capture a version of the city that feels familiar, even to those who have never visited.

In this film, New York is a central character. It shapes the characters. Their romances, betrayals and anxieties all feel possible only here. Watching, we imagine ourselves there too, living out our own little dramas.

The film opens and closes with sweeping shots of the city. In between, Allen and Willis linger on bridges, sidewalks, restaurants and streets that feel iconic even if you could not name them. 

The most unforgettable image may be the sunrise shot of the Queensboro Bridge. Captured at five in the morning, the production team had to bring its own bench because none existed at the location. The scene feels accidental and perfectly composed at the same time, just like New York.