Bradley Cooper with TCM’s Ben Mankiewicz: New York Stories (1989)

The first episode of this three-part anthology film, Martin Scorsese’s “Life Lessons,” was a revelation for filmmaker and actor Bradley Cooper, one that proved to be a formative influence on his life. It tells of abstract painter Lionel Dobie (Nick Nolte), who struggles to create works for an upcoming gallery show while navigating a fractured romantic relationship with his young assistant (Rosanna Arquette), a self-doubting painter who is herself drawn to a successful young performance artist (Steve Buscemi). Punctuated by emotion-drenched rock ‘n’ roll and opera tracks, Scorsese’s short film jumps between the paint-splattered, whiskey-soaked grime of industrial Soho lofts and the tuxedoed Upper East Side soirees where artists must mingle with rich patrons to make their living — an allegory for the show business world in which Scorsese works. Above all, it depicts the intoxication artists experience when putting paint to canvas. “You make art because you have to,” says Lionel. “Because you’ve got no choice.” This talk was recorded on January 31th, 2026 at The 92nd Street Y, New York. Your support helps us continue creating online content for our community. Donate now: http://www.92NY.org/Donate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/92ndStreetY Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/92ndStreetY TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@92ndstreety Archives: https://www.92ny.org/archives