Coffee and Cigarettes
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Movie Reviews of Coffee and Cigarettes
Movie Review: Waiting for Elvis . . .
Summary: 4 Stars
As scanning the customer reviews here shows, this film is not for everyone. Both less and more than a series of theatrical blackouts, its mostly improvisational sketches reveal how a series of actors / personalities (playing themselves) can turn the glimmer of an idea into something with flashes of insight into the human condition.
Yes, the conversations over coffee and cigarettes are sometimes boring and repetitive, but in the way that smoking and drinking coffee are ways to fill time, I was often reminded of Beckett's "Waiting for Godot." This came across most strongly in the last piece between two old men (played by William Rice and Taylor Mead) who seem to be janitors on break in some netherworld where if you listen hard enough you can hear Mahler.
And yes, some of the sketches fall flat, but just when you are about to reach for the remote, you find yourself watching a situation that comes wonderfully to life (Alfred Molina and Steve Coogan are brilliant as two Brits in LA). And as the editorial review at the top of the page indicates, there are several other sketches that are worth waiting for. Finally, when the film was over, I couldn't believe there were no more of them to watch. The 95 minutes had flown by.
Definitely for Jim Jarmusch fans, the DVD includes an entertaining interview with Taylor Mead.
Movie Review: A smart film
Summary: 4 Stars
I went into this film not really knowing what to expect. I hadn't heard much about it, and what I had heard, was simply things like, "vignettes," or, "funny." Nothing specific. But it did earn awards and praise.
"Coffee and Cigarettes" is indeed a collection of vignettes that center around, you guessed it, drinking coffee and smoking. However, the film includes a complete all-star cast that adds comedic relief, as well as realism, since all of the stars portray themselves and not other characters (with the exception of the marvelous Cate Blanchet).
The topics of interest range drastically, from fighting, to science, to going cold turkey, and to meeting a family member. How many different conversations can take place around coffee and cigarettes? The possibilities are endless.
And although the topic seem polar opposites, there are recurring strands that tie the film together, and add a bit of "serious" comedy: "All you're having for lunch is coffee and cigarettes? That's not very healthy." So even though the film centers around caffeine and nicotine, it's also realized that neither is very good for one's health...
Overall, this was definitely an excellent art-house film, that I recommend to anyone who's interested in watching something different, for a change.
Movie Review: Maybe some folks didn't get it....
Summary: 4 Stars
at least those who went on and on about how boring the film is. First off, the title pretty much tells you what you're likely in for, particularly if you know Jim J's style. But more pointedly, the fact that the film is ultimately about the mundane in various guises is exactly what it was supposed to be ... a film about the bizarre but basically unimportant little things that go on every day in every city in the world. We get a voyeur's look at some of those mundane but still attention-getting stories and maybe compare them with their own. Coffee and cigarettes was simply a vehicle to tie it together. Being a series of vignettes, NATURALLY people will like some better than others. I think some were purposely uneven, others were purposely a bit more animated. But to condemn the entire film because you wanted, perhaps, more action isn't fair. Not every film has to have constant movement. This isn't a film to provoke deep thought or endless debate; it's just a film to watch and enjoy, then maybe talk about a little over... oh, I dunno; coffee and cigarettes....
PS: Just a correction to something another viewer said below... It's Spike Jonz, not Spike Lee.
Movie Review: An Interesting Experiment
Summary: 4 Stars
Jim Jarmusch's "Coffee and Cigarettes" is a strange but interesting experiment. It is comprised of about a dozen short skits of people in restaurants talking (obviously to the accompaniment of the title addictions). Some of the highlights include an amusing pairing of Bill Murray and the Wu Tang Clan, a strange encounter between Roberto Benigni and Steven Wright, a marvelously acted piece between Cate Blanchette and herself in a dual role as her cousin, and, best of all, a sad and funny scene with Steve Coogan and Alfred Molina. While the pieces aren't particularly satisfying on their own, as a whole, they make up a fascinating study of human nature, not to mention some fine entertainment.The DVD from MGM has the film in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The black and white image is very good looking with few scratches and little grain. The extra features are a theatrical trailer, shots of tabletops, an interview with actor Taylor Meade, and an unfortunately short blooper with Bill Murray. Far more interesting than any of these would have been an interview with Jarmusch.
Movie Review: Everyday human interaction
Summary: 4 Stars
This film is a collection of eleven vignettes the cover what happens after the big meal, the calm with just the after-dinner coffee and cigarettes. This is not meant to be as satisfying as a meal, but it lets us enjoy the interaction when people just meet and share some time together to catch up (or not).
Jim Jarmusch uses an all-star cast to show us the entertainment in everyday human interaction. Although some combinations seem obvious (like Meg White and Jack White), some seem almost contradictory (like Steven Wright with Roberto Benigni), while others are simply odd (Cate Blanchett with Cate Blanchett). Regardless of the pairing, we hear recurring themes which blend the stories together as well as connect us with the stories. A viewer would be hard pressed to find a conversation that he or she hasn't heard or had before.
This is an off-beat film, but it is thoroughly enjoyable. I would recommend taking a moment to revel in our casual meetings, as shown here over coffee and cigarettes.