Coffee and Cigarettes Review
Coffee and Cigarettes is a fond celebration of casual conversation and minor vices, and despite the fact that it takes place all over the country, it has a distinctly New York vibe. While the collection of vignettes offers a few great pleasures, in the context of Jim_Jarmusch's oeuvre, it is slight. Things get off to a bumpy start with Stephen_Wright trying to work some standup into a forced encounter with a surprisingly low-key Roberto_Benigni. Then Steve_Buscemi does a bad Southern accent, and the charismatic Tom_Waits pretends to be a doctor to impress Iggy_Pop. The black-and-white images are appealing, but there's a general sense of pointless goofing in these early sequences. The film doesn't begin to hit its stride until about 30 minutes in, when actors Isaach de Bankolé and Alex_Descas meet for a prolonged misunderstanding. The film's strongest segment, funny and surprisingly trenchant, features the redoubtable Cate_Blanchett in a dual role as a Hollywood actress and her ne'er-do-well cousin. Another wonderfully acted segment covers similar territory, as a daft Alfred_Molina forces the hilariously blasé Steve_Coogan to navigate the hierarchy of showbiz success. Coogan's mere pronunciation of the words "Boogie_Nights" is worth the price of admission. Jarmusch's project started as an emptily hip short film commissioned by Saturday_Night_Live, but by the time it ends, with a burst of nostalgic melancholy featuring Taylor_Mead and Bill_Rice, it has successfully transcended its origins. As it breezes through the touchstones of the filmmaker's career, Coffee and Cigarettes is a must-see for the filmmaker's fans. Others should find it a pleasant and amusing way to pass a little time in good company. Josh Ralske, Rovi
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