Smoke (1995)

Director:

Wayne Wang

Writer:

Paul Auster (written by)

Release Date:

9 June 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Where there's smoke... there's laughter!

Plot:

A Brooklyn smoke shop is the center of neighborhood activity, and the stories of its customers.

Plot Keywords:

Smoke | Writer | Gas Station | Painting | One Word Title

Awards:

8 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Giancarlo Esposito	...	OTB Man #1, Tommy
José Zúñiga	...	OTB Man #2, Jerry
Stephen Gevedon	...	OTB Man #3, Dennis (as Steve Gevedon)
Harvey Keitel	...	Augustus 'Auggie' Wren
Jared Harris	...	Jimmy Rose
William Hurt	...	Paul Benjamin
Daniel Auster	...	Book Thief
Harold Perrineau	...	Thomas 'Rashid' Cole (as Harold Perrineau Jr.)
Deirdre O'Connell	...	Sue the Waitress
Victor Argo	...	Vinnie
Michelle Hurst	...	Aunt Em
Forest Whitaker	...	Cyrus Cole
Stockard Channing	...	Ruby McNutt
Vincenzo Amelia	...	Irate Customer
Erica Gimpel	...	Doreen Cole

Also Known As:

Smoke - Raucher unter sich (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

Germany | USA | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DuArt) | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Phillipstown, New York, USA

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

The story that William Hurt's character tells about the son who found his dead father's body frozen on a mountain is the same story that Paul Auster uses in his novel, "The New York Trilogy".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Thomas Cole knocks on the door of Paul Benjamin's apartment on his first visit, Paul goes to answers the door without a cigarette. However, when he opens the door a lit cigarette appears in his mouth.

Quotes:

Auggie Wren: If you can't share your secrets with your friends then what kind of friend are you?
Paul Benjamin: Exactly... life just wouldn't be worth living.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Blue in the Face (1995)

Soundtrack:

Hong Kong

Harold Perrineau Jr. break out performance

Smoke is a good example of what independent film should be. A simple story told with simple direction with an outstanding story. As much as the story is interesting, the cast is just as good. William Hurt and Harvey Keitel are excellent. Forrest Whitaker also gives a surprising role with a surprise ending that you will not see coming. Although this movie stars Keitel and Hurt, this is Harold Perrineau Jr's movie. In his mid 20's, Perrineua co-stars with a league of talented and well established actors. Since then, Perrineua has gone on to stars in a series of movies and television series including OZ. A wonderful movie with great conversation, all independent films should have a little bit of "Smoke" in them.