How I Met New York,the Real One

For the past few years the actor Josh Radnor has been trafficking in two very different New Yorks.

For the past few years the actor Josh Radnor has been trafficking in two very different New Yorks. The one he works in is located in Los Angeles where he films How I Met Your Mother,the sitcom about five friends in Manhattanor at least studio-set version of the city: clean sidewalks,perfect outfits and brownstones for everybody (telecast on Star World).

This New York bears little resemblance to the one portrayed in the indie coming-of-age Happythankyoumoreplease,Radnors debut film,which he wrote,directed and stars in. I wanted this to be a below-14th Street movie, Radnor,36,said. I said to the costume designer: No new clothes. Shop at thrift stores. He was frustrated that its hard to show how small New York apartments are in a movie, he said,because you cant fit a whole crew inside them.

Happythankyoumoreplease has more in common with How I Met Your Mother than its location. Both follow young people groping for love,success and clarity. But the tones are starkly different. The cheerful TV show is punctuated with jokes. The movie,with its shades of heartbreak and triumph,is far less polished and far more personal. I was just trying to write a movie I would want to see, he said.

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Though New York may be the backdrop for the film,the title was inspired by Los Angeles. Radnor came up with it after hearing about the preachings of a self-helpish teacher-slash-L.A. guy my friend used to go listen to in the valley, he said. He talked about your communication with the universe and said when youre feeling something wonderful,you have to say,More,please.

Annie,the character who explains the title phrase in the film is a fiercely sunny woman with alopeciabaldnessplayed by Malin Akerman. Elements like her condition help the film explore optimism without tipping into pollyanna territory.

Back in the New York of Your Mother Radnor is still waiting on one crucial incident. The show,now in its sixth season,has built toward Ted meeting his future wifeor revealing that she is among the women viewers have encountered over the years. Thats not only what the show is about,as Radnor learned during a recent vacation in Spain. I met this 22-year-old kid whose dad had just died. Hed inherited this bar I went to and cornered me one night and said: You know what I love about your show? Its about a guy looking back at when he was young and realising those were the most special moments in his life. It made me realise that whats happening now will be my memories,and I have to enjoy them. Radnor said. MEGAN ANGELO