Trees Lounge (1996)

Director:

Steve Buscemi

Writer:

Steve Buscemi (writer)

Release Date:

11 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

A story about one man's search... for who knows what

Plot:

Things aren't going so well for Tommy Basilio. He lost his job because he "borrowed" money from the register...

Plot Keywords:

Video | Pregnant | Bar | Alcoholism | Wake

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Carol Kane	...	Connie
Mark Boone Junior	...	Mike
Steve Buscemi	...	Tommy
Bronson Dudley	...	Bill
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Rob (as Anthony Lapaglia)
Michael Buscemi	...	Raymond
Elizabeth Bracco	...	Theresa
John Ventimiglia	...	Johnny
Steven Randazzo	...	Vic
Suzanne Shepherd	...	Jackie
Rockets Redglare	...	Stan
Joe Lisi	...	Harry
Debi Mazar	...	Crystal
Eszter Balint	...	Marie
Richard Boes	...	Freddie

MPAA:

Rated R for plentiful strong language and some drug content.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Addis Wechsler Pictures

Trivia:

Steve Buscemi once was an actual ice cream truck driver on the streets where his character is shown driving such a truck.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the opening credits, an old man at the bar orders a large glass of liquor, filled with ice. In the next shot, there's no ice in the glass.

Quotes:

Tommy: No, Jerry is allright. Saved my life once.
Debbie: What, he was gonna kill you but he changed his mind?

Movie Connections:

References The Karate Kid (1984)

Soundtrack:

BREAK IT TO ME GENTLY

Amusing and low-key debut from indie king Buscemi

Small town deadbeat Tommy, spends the majority of his time drinking at the Trees Lounge and trying to find comfort with anything in a skirt. Meanwhile his ex-best friend is with his ex-girlfriend who may or may not be carrying Tommy's child. Tommy drifts day to day before finding himself a job and a new friend.

This was Buscemi's first attempt as director and is semi-autobiographical in it's plot. Plot, however is a poor way to describe this film's story. Rather it is an amusing character piece, following Tommy through his life. Tommy is likeable but is also selfish, clueless, aimless and friendless. We like him because he has a good loser-quality to him that brings part sympathy and part empathy. During the film he hurts many through his selfish actions and his life is consistently aimless and pointless. However it still manages to be interesting because of Tommy. Even when I didn't care about him the story had enough good support characters and goings on to keep me interested.

Buscemi as actor is just as good – doing a weasely version of himself but managing to keep him just likeable enough to get by. It something about the way that Tommy clearly hurts himself all the way that makes it hard to dislike him. The support cast are all very good. Junior, Kane et al do well as the various barflies while LaPaglia, Bracco, Baldwin, Imperioli, Rogers and Jackson all deliver well on their various roles. Sevingy is very good again in another sexually laced child role – but I'm glad she's not been typecast too much since Kids.

Overall this is plot light but is still interesting, amusing and enjoyable. Buscemi directs with a light touch and keeps everything light until the sombre final shot.