Smoke (film)
| Smoke | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Wayne Wang |
| Written by | Paul Auster |
| Produced by | Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, Hisami Kuroiwa |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Rachel Portman |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $7 million |
| Box office | $38 million |
Smoke is a 1995 American independent film by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster. The original story was written by Paul Auster, who also wrote the screenplay. The film was produced by Hisami Kuroiwa, Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein and directed by Wayne Wang. Among others, it features Harvey Keitel, William Hurt, Victor Argo, Forest Whitaker, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Harold Perrineau Jr..
Plot
 | This article needs an improved plot summary. (October 2015) |
The film follows the lives of multiple characters, all of whom are connected via their patronage of a small Brooklyn tobacconist store managed by Auggie (Harvey Keitel). Brooklyn Cigar Co. was located on the corner of 16th Street and Prospect Park West.
The film was followed by Blue in the Face, a sequel of sorts that continues following a few of the characters and introduces several new ones.
Cast
- Giancarlo Esposito as OTB Man #1, Tommy
- José Zúñiga as OTB Man #2, Jerry
- Harvey Keitel as Augustus 'Auggie' Wren
- Jared Harris as Jimmy Rose
- William Hurt as Paul Benjamin
- Daniel Auster as Book Thief
- Harold Perrineau as Thomas 'Rashid' Cole (as Harold Perrineau Jr.)
- Deirdre O'Connell as Sue the Waitress
- Victor Argo as Vinnie
- Michelle Hurst as Aunt Em
- Forest Whitaker as Cyrus Cole
- Erica Gimpel as Doreen Cole
- Stockard Channing as Ruby McNutt
- Ashley Judd as Felicity
- Malik Yoba as The Creeper
- Mary B. Ward as April Lee
- Clarice Taylor as Grandma Ethel
Reception
The film maintains a 93% average on Rotten Tomatoes.[1] It earned $8 million in the United States and $30 million overseas.[2]
Awards
Won
- Silver Bear (Wayne Wang) 45th Berlin International Film Festival, 1995[3]
- Danish Film Critics Bodil Award for Best American Film, 1995
- German Film Award for Best Foreign Film, 1995
- MTV Movie Award for Best Sandwich in a Movie - Ham and Cheese Sandwich
- Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay (Paul Auster), 1995
Nominated
- Stockard Channing - Best Supporting Actress - Screen Actors Guild
Legacy
The character Augustus "Auggie" Wren (played by Harvey Keitel) is modelled after the real-life owner of Augie's Jazz Bar, which closed in 1998. When the establishment reopened in 1999, the new owners could not keep the former establishment's name. To honor its legacy, they named the new club after the 1995 film.[4][5][6]
References
- ^ "Smoke". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ Liu, Sandra (2000). "Negotiating the Meaning of Access: Wayne Wang's Contingent Film Practice". Countervisions: Asian-American Film Criticism. Temple University Press. p. 96. ISBN 1-56639-775-8.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) For paperback: ISBN 1-56639-776-6. - ^ "Berlinale: 1995 Prize Winners". berlinale.de. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
- ^ "All That Jazz: Smoke Jazz and Supper Club, Harlem". Voyage.tv. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "Smoke Jazz & Supper Club-Lounge: Great Venue In New York". allyourjazz.com. January 13, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
- ^ "NY Times Critic's Pick: Smoke Jazz & Supper Club-Lounge". NYTimes.com. Retrieved June 30, 2011.