Romance & Cigarettes (2007)

Just perfect...

I'll tell you why so serious

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Romance And Cigarettes is the strangest musical you've never heard of. Strange as in awkward, because most of the songs are just too overdone and absurd to work, but I'll concede that that very quality makes them unforgettable, if for not quite the same reasons the filmmakers intended. Going for a sort of pseudo Jersey Boys look, they set their cluster of stories in working class New York City, focusing on a number of hot blooded Italian American scamps and the mischief they get up to, all set to a raucous medley of musical numbers, some pleasant and others pretty darn tone deaf. James Gandolfini plays Nick Murder, a rowdy blue collar construction worker who finds himself between a rock and a hard place when his long suffering wife Kitty (an even rowdier Susan Sarandon) finds out about his secret mistress Tula (kinky Kate Winslet). This seems to be the last straw for Kitty as far as their marriage goes, and it all erupts into a series of volcanic confrontations and spats as only New Yorkers can spectacularly stage. In Kitty's corner are her three handful daughter's (Aida Turturro, Mary Louise Parker and adorable Mandy Moore) and her helpful Cousin Bo (Christopher Walken). Nick turns to a co worker Angelo (Steve Buscemi), is scolded by his stern mother (Elaine Stritch) and receives advice from an ex military tough guy (Bobby Cannavle). The film sides with both parties for one long and often chaotic look at marriage, infidelity and extremely short tempers, peppered with songs that, like I said before, are hit and miss. Walken has the best bit (doesn't he always?) when he gets to a rip roaring riff on Tom Jones's 'Delilah' that jazzes up the film quite a bit. Not destined to go down in history as one of the best musicals ever made, but worth it for the spoofy fun had by the impressive cast.

Sexiest Musical ever. A movie all about sex and music.Not sure what the writer director John Turturro wanted to venture before writing this film. But once he wrote, it clearly came as he wanted it. The songs are meticulously chosen and the lip sync done by actors adds up to the music.This movie is about marital issues in simplest terms. But there are layers which just keep coming along. James Gandolfini as Nick Murder has too many issues at home to deal with. If he deals with his wife, he would deal with all the issues. But sadly, he just cannot leave his wife. A shameless husband he is.Kate Winslet as Tula, the lingerie seller add so much life and color to her character that whenever she is turned on, she becomes the dirtiest woman. She is so naturally good I feel, he acceptance of this movie just re establishes her liking for meaty roles. Susan Sarandon as Kitty, Nick's wife just does what she believes is right for the scene. She is yelling or aggressive at Nick and has fun with her ex lover Angelo.The characters are sketched out from clichés and are written from director's brain which is so damn tough to decipher. Any film can end in any way, but life ends in one way only that is death. Do I need to say more. The story of infidelity was never told more beautifully or comically or even sexually.There are so many other characters like Nick's friend or Nick's daughters who are so very clichéd and just speak as they should. Acting is superb as expected but what takes the acting to a higher altitude is the dialogues. Each dialogue makes the character in itself interesting.I watched this film just be seeing the poster and getting to know that Barton FInk's John Turturro has directed it and was blown away by the time i finished watching.It's good in every which I shall say, but i's a tad longer than expected. Yet, it makes a great watch. I am unhappy that I missed such an opportunity to see it in theater but now, I have seen and am happy.I would go with 4/5 for one of the best musicals ever. And it's very good to see a movie for not taking the point it wanted to say seriously.

An interesting misfire. Blue-collar Catholic husband from Queens, fighting with his infected lungs, cheats on his stalwart (but apparently sexless) wife with a red-haired British chippie and suffers the consequences. Perplexing drama from writer-director John Turturro, who seems caught in a Nicolas Roeg/Dennis Potter phase and frequently has his actors bursting into song-and-dance. The surreal musical-fringe isn't the general problem however, it is the unblushing sexual dialogue which makes these characters appear cartoonish. For all the careful work he does get accomplished, Turturro as a screenwriter is like a horny prankster with a poison pen. The overall effect is both immature and off-putting, although the filmmaker certainly gained the trust of his all-star cast, most of whom do solid work. *1/2 from ****

How oh how did I miss this one with all these major hipster stars in it?? I picked the DVD up for $2 on a clearance sale and took it to a friends house for a gag MST3K type viewing. I mean how bad could this thing be with Gandolfini singing? It only took maybe 5 minutes to get me hooked and then another 5 minutes to get me rolling on the effing floor. I mean not only is Tony Soprano singing but it is to an Englebert Humperdinck song!! And that is just the beginning. You get to see Walken singing Rockabilly, Buscemi cracking funnier than ever and Elaine Stritch busting balls better than even Tony Soprano's real mom. This is not even mentioning The Great Goddess Winslet singing dancing and out slutting even a good porn film star. And Kate looks absolutely DIVINE with her strawberry blonde/red curls and her underwater scene is b e a u t i f u l . This sucker needs to be showing at midnight and we all need to be dressing for the part in full fireman's gear and garter belts. I'm already working on my audience responses and practicing the songs to sing with. I forgot to mention Sweet Susan Sarandon whom I first noticed in The Rocky Horror Show. It is not an accident that Mr. Turturro placed her here. She is brilliant. Her performance as Kitty is even better than Janet from 30 years ago. (My God has it been 30 years???) Go get the rice and the squirt guns. This movie is a true gem. It makes me want to dance in the aisles, hang from the rafters and laugh my tiny Hiney off. Do not pass go. Go directly wherever you have to to see this asap!!!!!!!!!!! My crowd had to watch it twice in a row and now I'm ready to see it again. Bravo Mr. Turturro!!! 10/10