Smoke (1993) User Reviews

A Strangely Moving Film

[nbott · 7/10 · 11 March 2002]

Although this film requires some patience on the part of the viewer, I found it strangely moving. It is an off-beat tale of a man with an unusual sexual predilection. Normally, most gay men prefer men their own age or much younger. It is quite normal in this society for both straight and gay men to desire that which is fresh and unspoiled looking.

Our hero, who is relatively attractive, is trying to find the love that he never got from his own father. This is pure Freud. We are invited to go back to his strange childhood and to understand why he is now so mentally confused and sexually disjointed. The pain that he undergoes translates quite clearly to the viewer who is sensitive and aware that there are many psychically damaged people in this world.

The film is cinematically quite challenging. We even are allowed inside his head to experience his dream-like memories of his childhood and the damage that his perverse lifestyle is currently inflicting on him. The sense of loss is pervasive. I think that Mr. D'Auria is both an imaginative filmmaker and actor. I would recommend this film.

Hypnotic and Unique

[cbradleyactor · 8/10 · 3 February 2017]

I saw this film at Outfest in LA years ago and found it to be deeply moving and different from anything else shown that year. Unlike your standard gay film with unrealistic stories peppered with six-packed, 18- year-olds with endless funds for drugs and partying, this dark little piece felt REAL and LIVED-IN. The characters were sexy without being pretty.

There is a great deal of inhumanity in the characters, which makes the protagonist's refusal to give in to that inhumanity all the more powerful.

This is a strange, off-beat film, but if you surrender to it and watch it on its own terms, its very rewarding.

One of the Most Unique LGBT Films

[indianhills4ever · 21 November 2022]

I recently took a chance and bought a used VHS copy of this film. I've never seen it before, but I thought it looked interesting. This is undoubtedly one of the most unique and moving gay films I've ever seen. It's so visual it could almost be a silent movie - and I mean that in a good way. Some of the imagery used in the film continues to haunt me.

To be fair, this film isn't for everyone; it's very deliberately paced and requires the viewer to focus on the images and actor's faces while trying to put together how the past and present intersect for the main character, which interestingly is played by the director himself, Mark D'Auria. D'Auria gives a fine performance and is ably supported by his supporting cast - some of whom I think I've seen in other films like "The Godfather."

If you can find a copy of this film, I highly recommend it.

A confused fever dream of a movie

[Havan_IronOak · 1/10 · 23 August 2001]

A puffy 30 something man with a penchant for older men pursues sexual encounters interspersed taking many candle lit baths and thinking of his past and that of his twin brother.

Another art film, this movie was described as dreamlike. After seeing it, I guess they mean its puts you to sleep...

another depressing indie

[Havan_IronOak · 1/10 · 24 August 2001]

Depressing black and white portrait of Joe, a puffy faced gay man in his 30's who is sexually attracted to older and even less attractive men. Joe and his twin brother had severe fevers when they were young and it left him with a bad heart and his brother brain damaged. At that point their father checked out. Their catholic mother raised the boys and Joe is now a men's washroom attendant when he's not cruising New York's Central Park.

The film is disjointed and goes nowhere. Much time is spent as Joe takes one candle lit bath after another. It appears that the director knew he was in trouble and hoped that showing some skin would raise interest.

On the box, this video was described as Dream-Like. I think that's code for sleep inducing.