Liza Minnelli plays fictional singer Francine Evans in Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York.
New York, New York was released in 1977 and stars Minnelli as Francine Evans, a singer whose professional and romantic relationship with saxophonist Jimmy Doyle becomes the film’s central story. Robert De Niro plays Doyle, an ambitious musician whose difficult personality repeatedly conflicts with Francine.
The film is a musical drama influenced by classic Hollywood musicals, especially the work of directors such as Vincente Minnelli and musical performers associated with the studio era. Its title also refers to the famous song “New York, New York,” written by John Kander and Fred Ebb and performed in the film by Minnelli.
The movie was a major stylistic departure from Scorsese’s gritty urban crime stories. Although its initial reception and box office were disappointing, the title song later became strongly associated with New York through Minnelli’s performances and Frank Sinatra’s celebrated recording.