Smoke (1995)

Sorry, this movie sucks

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I probably last saw this upon its theatrical release and it was a pleasure to watch it again on Blu- ray. Once more I was so impressed with William Hurt who seems to respond to the fine writing of Paul Auster, accepting with some glee that he is playing his alter ego, and producing such a believable, humane, intelligent and involving performance. Keitel is very good too, probably a little nervy in some of the near improvised cigar shop scenes but brilliant in the more one to one story telling vignettes. Although difficult areas including death, self harm and family disorder are covered, the writing is so good that we are able to become involved and keen to see how things develop without any preaching or moralising. So much of the film is typical Auster but in particular the central 'Christmas story', which is actually told at the end, and the whole cigar shop photography aspect. We share with Hurt, as he looks through the thousands of similar snapshots, first incredulity and then a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the seeming mundane. Marvellous and I will resist the awful word 'heart-warming' - oops!

In 'Smoke' writer Paul Auster and director Wayne Wang create a slice of life. The film is divided in chapters, each focussing on a different character. It isn't done randomly as all the down to earth characters are part of the story. 'Smoke' has a whimsical touch to it. It looks like a simplistic painting or a photograph that tells the story of one's daily life and their certain unique circumstances. The movie looks authentic. It does not have the typical Hollywood glossy feel to it. It's more like a walk down the lives of these simple yet wonderful characters. Harvey Keitel is terrific as the cigar store owner and amateur photographer. William Hurt is equally remarkable as a writer who hasn't published a novel since the demise of his wife. Harold Perrineau Jr. holds his own as the young Rashid Cole who forms a friendship with Hurt's Paul Benjamin and Keitel's Augie Wren. Forest Whitaker is excellent as Cole's hardworking father with one arm and Stockard Channing is great as Augie's former lover. The cinematography is simplistic and yet it works brilliantly and the soundtrack itself is another huge plus as it gives voice to the mood of the scene. The visuals of the city only add to the charm. Overall 'Smoke' is a charming slice of life and by the end it ends up bringing a smile to the viewer's face. We don't see the characters living happily ever after but we notice their growth and becoming better human beings.

I agree with all of the reviewers who have praised the work of Harvey Keitel, William Hurt and others in this film.However, I believe special mention is deserved for the actress who plays the part of an elderly woman in the Christmas story at the end of the film. Without revealing any of the plot, the subtle yet dramatic change in her facial expression, without uttering a single word, blew me away.I hope others agree.Years after seeing this film, the haunting song, Innocent in your Dreams, still comes back to me

It is important to me because this wonderful film is filled with thought provoking dialogs, and a very good story, amazing cast, great characters, with wonderful depth of feelings.This movie is a slow paced film , this is a quiet film that works, and that works very well. The movie is a little slow at times you may think, and indeed it is, but it really hooks you in and keeps you watching. A brilliant flick that relies more on simple, character-driven plot than action and crash-boom-bang. SMOKE is not a real adventure, not a real drama, not a real comedy, not a real cops movie, and not a real action movie as well. It's about life. But in a real way, and surprisingly not boring. I have seen it many times and keep watching it because I love its celebration of the simple pleasures of life: friendships, good conversation and normal human relations. Smoke is not a complex or experimental film, just a beautiful and simple portrayal of humanity. Nothing more nothing less. This is an actors movie, and they all do an incredible job.Best bit for me : I especially love the Christmas sequence at the end where the film reaches a sublime conclusion in a tender Christmas story narrated by Keitel and supported by Tom Waits' haunting song "Innocent When You Dream". I love this bit. Makes me cry like a girl. So moving, so touching, so heartwarming, so bitter-sweet.Watch this movie, watch it carefully. It has great characters, a great script, played by a flawless cast, and no doubt it is beautifully directed. Beautiful, beautiful movie. Unmissable ! "Smoke" is/was truly one of the best movies of 90's. I would recommend this film to people of all ages. I'm impressed. You will be impressed. And, oh yes, the Christmas STORY at the end WILL MAKE YOU CRY !!