Trees Lounge (1996)

Tommy is an unemployed mechanic who spends most of his time in a bar (Trees Lounge) in a small blue collar town. He seems to always be thinking, "If only X then I could stop drinking".

Director:

Steve Buscemi

Writer:

Steve Buscemi

Stars:

Carol Kane, Mark Boone Junior, Steve Buscemi

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Things aren't going so well for Tommy Basilio. He lost his job because he "borrowed" money from the register, his girlfriend left him for his boss and is now pregnant, and he can't find work because of the incident. His life revolves around the Trees Lounge, a neighborhood bar over which he lives, full of the colorful eccentrics one finds in such places, like the estranged husband, or the old boozer drinking himself to death. He drunkenly wanders through his life, still in love with his ex, desperate for some sort of meaning beyond the bar, some sort of meaning to his life.

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Plot Keywords:

bar | ice cream truck | ex girlfriend | cocaine | sequel | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for plentiful strong language and some drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bizim kafe

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$39,830 (USA) (11 October 1996)

Gross:

$673,269 (USA) (13 December 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Addis Wechsler Pictures, Live Entertainment, Muse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After the original Trees Lounge shut down, Steve Buscemi bought the sign and restored it to use for him movie, although he was not able to use it. He then gave it to a woman who worked at Trees Lounge for 40 years.

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Goofs

When Tommy reminds Debbie to collect her bag when he is dropping her off, you can see a crew person in corner of screen as well as in the window reflection.

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Quotes

[about having another glass of whiskey]
Vic: You're a weak man.
Tommy: Yeah, I know. That's why I drink it straight. The ice cubes are too heavy.

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Connections

Referenced in In Bad Taste (2000)

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Soundtracks

"WHAT KIND OF FOOL DO YOU THINK I AM"
Written by Ray Whitley (as R. Whitley)
Performed by Bill Deal and The Rhondels
Published by Twi-Low Music
Courtesy of Rep S Music Group/Jerry Ross Productions/Castle C.C.

User Reviews

Fine writing and directing debut for Buscemi

Whenever one thinks of Steve Buscemi the actor, one probably thinks of the line about his character in FARGO, where a girl says, "Well, he was funny looking...more than most people, even." That has more or less summed up the parts Buscemi has played throughout the years, way back to the mini-series of LONESOME DOVE. But he's got more range than that, as he showed in LIVING IN OBLIVION(1995), and this movie, which he also wrote and directed. The nice surprise is he also has the makings of a fine writer and director. There's no real plot here, which undoubtedly will throw some people(and has, if some of the comments are any indication), just observing a certain type of people(working-class and barflies) and how they live their lives. While it may drag at times, there's enough truth and detail to keep you interested. Buscemi also directs actors well; this is the film which convinced me Chloe Sevigny was for real. I understand Buscemi is making another film; I look forward to it.