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Product Description
The Brooklyn cigar store owned by Augie Wren (Harvey Keitel) is a drop-in centre for all manner of local eccentrics. When he announces his intention to sell up to a health-food chain, his regular customers flood in to discuss the matter, at the same time delivering their idiosyncratic views on the world in general. This improvised companion piece to 'Smoke' features a host of cameo performances from actors, rock stars and the famous for being famous.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
The value of this piece of film is to see Keitle and the others 'play' in front of the camera. It and 'Smoke' provide insights into the preoccupations of the very accomplished writer, Paul Auster: New York, parents and parenting, our self-obsessions and self-deceptions; the fact that 'shit happens' usually, but that something musch more beautiful and strange can and does happen unpredictably. One does, it should be said, be a North American city dweller to fully appreciate this film. I, for example 'did time' in Chicago and loved every minute of it.
Apart from the above, I was delighted to see Lou Reed work infront of a camera instead of a microphone, but then I have to admit that I have been a 'fan' since Velvet Underground daze.
It should be mentioned that both 'Smoke' and this film were shown on ARTE, a Franco/German television station and one of the best in Western Europe in the second week of March 2000. In all this film is certainly worth your time. It is better anything that I have seen on 'prime time' television.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By sarahalliez
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
This quirky companion piece to Smoke is unconventional and mainly improvised, which is why I love it so much. My favourite films are generally those that make me laugh and that I can watch again and again without getting bored. By fulfilling these criteria, Blue in the Face is therefore in my top ten. Harvey Kietel is of course brilliant but the cameo players are a delight - Jim Jarmusch is especially wonderful; I can't watch an action movie the same way now I've seen his description of how actors treat their guns. John Lurie and his Orchestra are also well used as buskers outside the shop and Lily Tomlin's loopy act as a waffle obsessive is fab too. Even Madonna's good in it. Rent or buy this, you won't be disappointed.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Blue in the face has all its strengths and weaknesses fundamentally tied into its non rehearsed, improvisational nature. It works. Coming off the skill of Smoke, this slice of life from the much laboured area of New York gives off originality and tenderness seen only through such risky undertakings. The cast is exceptional, Keitel shines of course, and Michale J Fox is very funny in his small cameo. I would recommend watching after Smoke, whereby the atmosphere and characters would be far more established and meaningful. Deservees more recognition.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
The value of this piece of film is to see Keitle and the others 'play' in front of the camera. It and 'Smoke' provide insights into the preoccupations of the very accomplished writer, Paul Auster: New York, parents and parenting, our self-obsessions and self-deceptions; the fact that 'shit happens' usually, but that something much more beautiful and strange can and does happen unpredictably. One does, it should be said, need to be a North American city dweller to fully appreciate this film. This writer 'did time' in Chicago and loved every minute of it.
Apart from the above, I was delighted to see Lou Reed work infront of a camera instead of a microphone, but then I have to admit that I have been a 'fan' since Velvet Underground daze.
It should be mentioned that both 'Smoke' and this film were shown on ARTE, a Franco/German television station and one of the best in Western Europe in the second week of March 2000. In all this film is certainly worth your time. It is better anything that I have seen on 'prime time' television.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By T. A. Smedes
Format:DVD
I bought this DVD because I loved "Smoke". I must admit, this film is not as good as "Smoke". The story line is much looser, the characters are not worked-out as well, and often there is a kind of documentary-style of filming. Though it is nice to see some major stars, such as Roseanne and Madonna - yes, she plays one of her best roles ever! - improvize in this film (because that's what they're doing), I was slightly disappointed.
But don't get me wrong - this film is still much better than many Hollywood blockbusters. This is why I still rated the film 5 stars. It deserves it, as much as "Smoke" deserves 10!
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Arrived on time, and in excellent condition.
As for the film, in my opinion, it's not even close to being as good as Smoke.
As for the film, in my opinion, it's not even close to being as good as Smoke.
2 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this being a fan of michael j fox, when i got it i sat down to watch it and my face just went into a look of confusion, it made no sense, had no real point and just seemed to go on and on, usually i can watch any film thats put in front of me but this really was terrible.
1 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By "gonzo176"
Format:DVD
The film "Blue in the face" is a hidden gem of 90s cinema, i enjoyed the more darker "smoke" and was allready familiar with some of the faces in this folow up, but enjoyed in more and more as it went on. Kitel is great as the world weary cigar seller but a lot of the time its the lesser carictors with bring the most to the film. Roseann barr (who I usualy cant stand) is great and the guy who plays the huster who apperd in "smoke" was a stand out. A film for anyone who enjoyes something diffrent, fun and engageing, the ending will give you that satisfide feeling while not being chessey.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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