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From Amazon.co.uk
It's refreshing to see a film in which the writer receives equal credit with the director, showing that the dialogue actually means something. So it is with Smoke, a film about a New York quilt of contemporary characters who cross paths in a corner smoke shop, told in straightforward way by a talented acting group. Author Paul Auster and director Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club) worked on the story for years before it reached the screen. Their characters include Paul (William Hurt, in a good role again), a grief-stricken novelist; Auggie (Harvey Keitel), the shop's owner with a secret passion; Ruby (Stockard Channing), Auggie's long-ago girlfriend; and Rashid (Harold Perrineau Jr), a teenager who is befriended by Paul and seeks his estranged father (Forest Whitaker). All the characters are great storytellers, whether it be out of loneliness, necessity or just nature. Like Auster's The Music of Chance, the film has accomplished an amazing feat: it makes us feel as if we are reading a serious novel, not watching a movie. --Doug Thomas
Product Description
United Kingdom released, Blu-Ray/Region B DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Dolby Linear PCM ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Behind the scenes, Commentary, Deleted Scenes, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Departing from the conventions of Hollywood story-telling 'Smoke' is constructed like an emotional jigsaw puzzle: pieces interweave and interconnect to form an intricate whole. Unrelated characters - a cigar store manager (Harvey Keitel) who has taken photographs in front of his store at the same hour every day for 14 years; a novelist (William Hurt) unable to go on writing after his wife is killed in a random act of street violence; a man (Forest Whitaker) who ran away from his past and tries to start over after accidentally killing his wife. These characters, amongst others, making their way through the lonely urban landscape, might seem to have little in common. But in the couse of this motion picture they cross paths by chance and end up changing each other's lives in indelible ways. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Berlin International Film Festival, Ceasar Awards, David Donatello Awards, ...Smoke (1995) (Blu-Ray)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By F. Sweet
Format:DVD
This is the kind of off beat film that begins far away from its main point. So in a sense, it takes you on a journey. Especially, if you've grown up in very large urban centers where there were local neighborhoods with ancient, musty old small stores run by engaging proprietors this scene and story will resonate with you. But even if you did not enjoy the benefits of New York City's inner city, many of the characters can be similarly identified in daily rural life in Arkansas.
The grizzled and contemplative cigar store proprietor Auggie Wren is masterfully played by Harvey Keitel. He plays a man hanging on to his business while trying to sqeeze out of the dreariness of each day some kind of meaningful life. He doesn't go out to meet life ... it comes to meet him in his cigar store. A customer and not quite neighborhood friend played to its understated fullest by William Hurt, is a formerly celebrated novelist Paul now struggles with his tragic life and getting back to writing. The thread which connects the action is pulled through the film by a street wise teenage "black kid" calling himself "Rashid" is very well acted by Harold Perrineau Jr.
Everyone is searching for something in SMOKE. Rashid, his father; Paul his lost interest in life; and Auggie his lost meaning of life. Not all of the movie takes place in the cigar store ... b ut a lot of it does, and perhaps like Hitchcock in REAR WINDOW or THE ROPE, the photography and direcrting make it work. But there are many other scenes on sites to provide both variety and action.
This film not only works it is a terrific journey that promises to take you through many ideas and situations that are familiar and some bizarre. But they are always interesting and enjoyable. That's what entertainment is about.... Read more ›
The grizzled and contemplative cigar store proprietor Auggie Wren is masterfully played by Harvey Keitel. He plays a man hanging on to his business while trying to sqeeze out of the dreariness of each day some kind of meaningful life. He doesn't go out to meet life ... it comes to meet him in his cigar store. A customer and not quite neighborhood friend played to its understated fullest by William Hurt, is a formerly celebrated novelist Paul now struggles with his tragic life and getting back to writing. The thread which connects the action is pulled through the film by a street wise teenage "black kid" calling himself "Rashid" is very well acted by Harold Perrineau Jr.
Everyone is searching for something in SMOKE. Rashid, his father; Paul his lost interest in life; and Auggie his lost meaning of life. Not all of the movie takes place in the cigar store ... b ut a lot of it does, and perhaps like Hitchcock in REAR WINDOW or THE ROPE, the photography and direcrting make it work. But there are many other scenes on sites to provide both variety and action.
This film not only works it is a terrific journey that promises to take you through many ideas and situations that are familiar and some bizarre. But they are always interesting and enjoyable. That's what entertainment is about.... Read more ›
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Billy
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm going to find it very difficult to express in words how much this film means to me; not because of any deep, personal involvment, but simply becasue it is so utterly watchable. This is one of those offbeat, quirky little films that simply blows you away, without you knowing why or how exactly. Keitel and Hurt's performances are wonderfully subtle and underplayed, and I found it was the little, irrelevant things that fasinated me so - such as the way Hurt's character draws his little Dutch cigars through his lips before lighting it, and the fact that Auggie (Keitel's character), despite being a cigar connoisseur, smokes simple filter cigarettes.
This film won't appeal to all, but if you like your American films to come with a little less 'Crash, Bang, Whallop!' and a bit more intelligence, then you just have to buy this dvd.
This film won't appeal to all, but if you like your American films to come with a little less 'Crash, Bang, Whallop!' and a bit more intelligence, then you just have to buy this dvd.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This film is all about the storytelling. It deserves to be a bigger film than it was because it doesn't need to rely on explosions and action to be great. Its mainly due to the superb script which was written by some dude who i've never seen one of his other movies or even heard of any. But when you got 3 of hollywoods finest in the cast (Harvey Kietel, William Hurt & Forest Whitaker) then your always gonna end up with a film of the highest standards. If your looking for something that you can follow, that relys more on its story and its characters, then this is just about as good as it gets. recommended viewing.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Gellit
Format:DVD
Harvey Keitel may have run off with what plaudits there were for this hidden gem of a movie, but for me it is the performance of William Hurt that infuses the film with it's thoughtful, mellow, non-idealogical flavour.
There are a couple of scenes which Keitel and Hurt perform memorably together, one involving a collection of photographs and the final scene of the movie which is 'Augie Wren's Christmas Story' originally written by Paul Auster, and the creative spark behind the writing of the script. If you were to watch these two scenes alone I'd still recommend buying this film.
The dialogue is sharp and the direction leaves the actors to act, allowing them time to deliver as much with body language as with the spoken word. All of the cast shine (even Forrest Whittaker!) and apart from a slightly unconvincing eye patch the movie is absolutely flawless.
If you are at all interested in good contempory cinema this is an essential watch, and then a must have DVD. Enjoy it, it's a rare thing.
There are a couple of scenes which Keitel and Hurt perform memorably together, one involving a collection of photographs and the final scene of the movie which is 'Augie Wren's Christmas Story' originally written by Paul Auster, and the creative spark behind the writing of the script. If you were to watch these two scenes alone I'd still recommend buying this film.
The dialogue is sharp and the direction leaves the actors to act, allowing them time to deliver as much with body language as with the spoken word. All of the cast shine (even Forrest Whittaker!) and apart from a slightly unconvincing eye patch the movie is absolutely flawless.
If you are at all interested in good contempory cinema this is an essential watch, and then a must have DVD. Enjoy it, it's a rare thing.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I havn't seen this film since it first came out and can barely remember anything it, except that it is a great film. One of my favourites. A few things that I do remember are that I watched it on tv one morning and had a load of homework to do and knew that I should have been doing that but couldnt drag myself away from this piece of art. Thats what it is, art! Also, I hardly ever get emotional about films, but there is one scene at the end when the guy spends Christmas or Thanksgiving at this old ladies house because she thinks he is her son. Very touching.
I dont smoke and I like this film! Theres another great scene that I like where the two friends are looking through the photo albums of the corner outside the shop. That scene made me want to take up photography, and I did. Such an influential film.
I dont smoke and I like this film! Theres another great scene that I like where the two friends are looking through the photo albums of the corner outside the shop. That scene made me want to take up photography, and I did. Such an influential film.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Although nothing exciting happens in this movie, the dialogue and characters draw you into it and won't let go. I watched this movie at 3.00am, dog tired, sleepy, yet couldn't get to bed because I couldn't stop watching. It will make you laugh at times, make you smile most of the way through, and it will touch you. Virtually all the scenes take place with a static camera, so a roving camera doesn't get in the way.
Excellent acting, excellent dialogue.
Don't let the video cover photo fool you. None of the characters appear this way in the movie. In a way, it disappoints me that such a photo is used for the cover. It cheapens the film somehow. For one thing, Keitel doesn't have a beard in the movie. For another, the young blonde (Ashley Judd)DOES NOT look at all like that in this movie!
If you want a film that makes you listen to what the characters say and doesn't depend on violence or eye candy to make it interesting, then get this movie.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Keitel
It's an actors's feast and a classic. Wayne Wang may have disappeared from the cinema scene, but this film will remain an evergreen classic for fans of great character actors and... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Keizu
5.0 out of 5 stars
A deep, captivating, dry humor, no nonsense film not to be missed.
I first saw this movie when in came out in 1995 and then bought the BD in 2012. It is still am amazing film about human nature, love and New York. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Marco Carnovale
2.0 out of 5 stars
Should carry a health warning
The cover says 'where there's smoke...there's laughter'. That's possibly the most misleading strapline ever. There is no laughter in this film - none. Read more
Published on 6 April 2011 by Justice Peace
5.0 out of 5 stars
fresh, subtle, involving - beautifully made and very human
This is a lovely film from start to finish. Paul, a distinguished writer who has published nothing since the sudden death of his wife, lives alone in a small apartment in Brooklyn. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2011 by Mr. Ian A. Macfarlane
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top Smoke
Absolute brilliant film. Beautifully paced and the short stories hang together fantastically well. If you are into action or sex, forget it. Top drawer cast and storyline.
Published on 22 Dec 2010 by scl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Friendship in New York
The film is short on violence but deep in significance and 'values' .
"SMOKE" starring, Harvey Keitel, Forest Whitaker, William Hurt & Stockard Channing, Clarice Taylor... Read more
"SMOKE" starring, Harvey Keitel, Forest Whitaker, William Hurt & Stockard Channing, Clarice Taylor... Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2010 by P. Teddie Sawyer
2.0 out of 5 stars
overacting masterclass
Oh dear! As soon as i saw william hurt and forrest whittaker on the list i knew I was about to have my sentimental bone tickled and prodded. and oh boy! Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2010 by Gary Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Collection of People
Smoke, is a beautiful film. Overlooked unjustly, it deserves to be within the top 50 movies of the 90s. It is for better, a charcter study of quite epic proportions. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2009 by Jill Turnbull
5.0 out of 5 stars
As good as it gets
A film covering so many aspects of life, an easygoing feel-good-movie that never becomes superficial. So human, so warm and wondering. Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2009 by Orjan Aspelund
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great little film
A little master work fom Harvey and the rest of cast. the only thing that seems a bit over the top is forest walker wooden arm. but that apart a realy enjoy able film.
Published on 8 May 2009 by D. spooner
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