Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 05/14/04 Home Video 09/21/04 MPAA Rating Rated R for language Running Time 1 hour 36 minutes Directed by Jim Jarmusch Cast Roberto Benigni, Steven Wright, Joie Lee, Cinque Lee,Steve Buscemi, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits, Joe Rigano, Vinnie Vella, Vinny Vella, Renee French, E. J. Rodriquez, Alex Descas, Isaach de Bankole, Cate Blanchett, Jack White, Bill Murray, Alfred Molina, Steve Coogan, Bill Rice, Taylor Mead, Meg White Studio MGM/UA |
COFFEE AND CIGARETTES
A series of eleven vignettes, some just filmed and
others dating back as far as 1986, all focusing on the
pleasure and addiction of coffee and cigarettes and
their influence on conversation. These two vices are
the common threads that pull together the short
snippets of life revealed to us in each story. Director
Jim Jarmusch together will an eclectic band of
notable actors and celebrities devise skits, that
though short in duration, make great points about life,
addiction and conversation.
Not all eleven skits are top notch, but several are
notable. The "Twins" starring director Spike Lee's
children, Cinque Lee and Joie Lee, is one of the better
ones. Others of note are a clever visit between a star
and her much less glamorous cousin, with both roles
played by Cate Blanchette. The duel role play makes
the banter "between" girls much more interesting.
The "Somewhere in California" segment features
rockers Tom Wait and Iggy Pop in a rather interesting
take on addiction. Roberto Benigini is great in the first
scene and kind of sets the comedic mood for the film.
Director Jarmusch plans on continuing the project
and eventually coming out with a second installment
of his Coffee and Cigarettes. The project is truly an
independent pursuit, with no major studios involved.
others dating back as far as 1986, all focusing on the
pleasure and addiction of coffee and cigarettes and
their influence on conversation. These two vices are
the common threads that pull together the short
snippets of life revealed to us in each story. Director
Jim Jarmusch together will an eclectic band of
notable actors and celebrities devise skits, that
though short in duration, make great points about life,
addiction and conversation.
Not all eleven skits are top notch, but several are
notable. The "Twins" starring director Spike Lee's
children, Cinque Lee and Joie Lee, is one of the better
ones. Others of note are a clever visit between a star
and her much less glamorous cousin, with both roles
played by Cate Blanchette. The duel role play makes
the banter "between" girls much more interesting.
The "Somewhere in California" segment features
rockers Tom Wait and Iggy Pop in a rather interesting
take on addiction. Roberto Benigini is great in the first
scene and kind of sets the comedic mood for the film.
Director Jarmusch plans on continuing the project
and eventually coming out with a second installment
of his Coffee and Cigarettes. The project is truly an
independent pursuit, with no major studios involved.
Mary
If variety is the spice of life, this film is very
spicy indeed. The conversations are as
diverse as the presenters in the vignettes.
Many of the stories hit their mark, a few did
not, making one wonder why the less
successful ones are in the final piece when it
would have been so easy to cut them. The
movie is filmed in black and white and most
sets are very simple and drab. The meat is in
the conversation not the cinematography. An
off beat comedy, it's definitely not everyone's
cup of tea, make that coffee.
If variety is the spice of life, this film is very
spicy indeed. The conversations are as
diverse as the presenters in the vignettes.
Many of the stories hit their mark, a few did
not, making one wonder why the less
successful ones are in the final piece when it
would have been so easy to cut them. The
movie is filmed in black and white and most
sets are very simple and drab. The meat is in
the conversation not the cinematography. An
off beat comedy, it's definitely not everyone's
cup of tea, make that coffee.
Brenda
Not your usual comedy, this collection has more
flops than notables among the eleven stories
presented. My personal favorite is "Cousins" as
it so aptly portrays human nature with its subtle
little failings. Fun to spot the celebs in their
offbeat roles with their coffee and cigarette
addictions. A very unusual collection, that will
do just as well on the small screen.
.
Not your usual comedy, this collection has more
flops than notables among the eleven stories
presented. My personal favorite is "Cousins" as
it so aptly portrays human nature with its subtle
little failings. Fun to spot the celebs in their
offbeat roles with their coffee and cigarette
addictions. A very unusual collection, that will
do just as well on the small screen.
.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
DVD Details
Disc Specs
Region (unknown)
Keep Case
Full Frame 1.33
Additional Release Material
Original Theatrical Trailer
Interview: 1. Taylor Mead
Featurette
Deleted Scenes
Region (unknown)
Keep Case
Full Frame 1.33
Additional Release Material
Original Theatrical Trailer
Interview: 1. Taylor Mead
Featurette
Deleted Scenes