Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick star together in “The Best You Can,” marking their first joint on-screen project in two decades and placing their real-life chemistry at the center of this new film set in New York City. This Kevin Bacon new NYC movie not only explores themes of connection in midlife but also reflects the couple’s deep ties to the city itself.
Embracing Their New York Roots on and off Camera
Both actors speak passionately about their history as New Yorkers and how that spirit shapes their lives and work. As Kyra Sedgwick shares,
“I think that there is a certain kind of something that is in your blood as a New Yorker,”
noting that the city’s relentless energy—
“You’re fast, you’re moving, you’re rushing. You’ve got places to be and things to do.”
For Bacon, the experience of going to the cinema in New York holds particular significance.
“Growing up and being in New York in the 1970s, which was such a seminal moment in American film history, going to the movies feels like a really important part of our lives,”
he recalls.
“We really, really make an effort to go out and sit down and get some popcorn and experience the thrill of the movies.”
— Kevin Bacon, Actor
The couple, who have been married for 37 years, enjoy visiting theaters near their Upper West Side home. They often choose where to watch a film based on what’s playing, saying they
“go where we need to go”
—Kyra Sedgwick, Actress. Some of their favorites are AMC 84th Street 6 and the New Plaza Cinema on 67th Street. Other favorites they mention include LOOK Dine-In on 57th Street and the iconic Angelika cinema, showing their genuine appreciation for the city’s vibrant moviegoing tradition.
A Story Rooted in NYC’s Pace and Honesty
“The Best You Can” explores the intertwined lives of two New Yorkers facing upheaval. Sedgwick plays Cynthia, a meticulous urologist whose personal life is shaken as her husband begins to show symptoms of dementia. Bacon’s character, Stan—a home security guard estranged from his daughter—crosses paths with Cynthia after a late-night break-in. Their chance meeting sparks an unexpected connection at a pivotal stage in their lives, a premise both actors find refreshing and true to life in the city.
On the film’s theme, Sedgwick remarks,
“It’s a story that felt really fresh and some of the themes it was exploring felt fresh because we don’t have a lot of movies about middle age in America,”
adding,
“It just doesn’t seem like we are exploring this time of our lives and we should be because we are all getting there.”
— Kyra Sedgwick, Actress. This nuanced approach underlines the film’s commitment to capturing life’s complexities, particularly those faced during middle age.
Dining Traditions and Local Favorites on the Upper West Side
Beyond movie nights, Bacon and Sedgwick cherish simple pleasures like dining in their neighborhood. Italian restaurants Gennaro and Tarallucci e Vino are among their favored spots, perfectly complementing their appreciation for longstanding city gems. While these eateries stand out to the couple, Sedgwick light-heartedly critiques the local dining scene, saying,
“There aren’t that many great restaurants on the Upper West Side, sadly!”
— Kyra Sedgwick, Actress. Her observation is both a loving nudge and a hopeful call for more culinary options in their neighborhood.
The Broader Resonance of ‘The Best You Can’
The couple’s return to the screen together, and their reflections on cinema, aging, and city life, resonate beyond their personal story. “The Best You Can” offers a rare glimpse into middle age through characters shaped by New York’s unyielding pace and sincerity. As stars and longtime city residents, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick bring authenticity to a film that underscores the enduring importance of place, community, and honest storytelling in both movies and everyday life. Their journey in this new project is likely to connect with audiences who share similar loves for film, food, and the realities of New York existence.
