Holy Smoke (1999)

Director:

Jane Campion

Writers:

Anna Campion (writer)
Jane Campion (writer)

Release Date:

22 February 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Tagline:

Sex captive in desert hideaway...young beauty seduced by macho American twice her age.

Plot:

While on a journey of discovery in exotic India, beautiful young Ruth Barron falls under the influence of a charismatic religious guru...

Plot Keywords:

Old Young Relationship | Lesbianism | Female Nudity | Sydney Australia | Drag

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Kate Winslet	...	Ruth Barron
Harvey Keitel	...	PJ Waters
Julie Hamilton	...	Mum
Sophie Lee	...	Yvonne
Daniel Wyllie	...	Robbie (as Dan Wyllie)
Paul Goddard	...	Tim
Tim Robertson	...	Dad
George Mangos	...	Yani
Kerry Walker	...	Puss
Les Dayman	...	Bill-Bill (as Leslie Dayman)
Samantha Murray	...	Prue
Sandy Gutman	...	Stan (as Austen Tayshus)
Simon Anderson	...	Fabio
Pam Grier	...	Carol
Éva Martin	...	Devotee

Also Known As:

Holy Smoke! (USA) (video box title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality and language.

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA | Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:R21 (re-rating) | Germany:12 | Iceland:L | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Taiwan:R-18 | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) (video rating) | USA:R (cut) | Singapore:R21 | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:R | Chile:18 | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Hong Kong:III | Japan:R-18 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:R(A) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | Philippines:R-18

Filming Locations:

Flinders Ranges, South Australia, Australia

Company:

India Take One Productions

Trivia:

On a fellow actor's advice, Kate Winslet drank 3 vodka-and-tonics for a scene involving her being drunk.

Goofs:

Continuity: When at first Ruth is in the middle of a circle of her relatives, she has a jewel in the middle of her forehead. Then the jewel disappears for a while and then reappears for the remainder of the scene.

Quotes:

PJ Waters: I was young once, too, and handsome. You'd have been impressed.
Ruth Barron: I wasn't born!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2000-02-12)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

You Outta Know

Psycho-sexual intrigue, cosmic joke

Most of Jane Campion's films make me uncomfortable. This one was no exception. But I liked it. And it has grown on me.

Having investigated eastern philosophy and western mysticism for years, I appreciate Jane Campion's competency in dealing with themes of a metaphysical nature. I was stunned by her use of metaphor in "The Piano," a constant returning to the place of origination, the synergy of yin and yang, the veil of illusion, and the mystery of expression ("the word").

Holy Smoke is more direct in its approach, but effective in exploring themes of power and love as both intimate and universal life forces. As usual, Campion approaches her subjects with an unflinching, but sympathetic, eye.

I am always nearly a fan of Campion's production values: I love the saturated, dark colors, the carefully contrived shots, the whimsical and sparing use of special effects and humor, and typically incredible casting.

While appealing on an aesthetic level, what appeals to me most about "Holy Smoke" is that it deals with some of my favorite themes: the illusory nature of "reality," the vulnerability, and power, of the human mind, and heart, and the sometimes shocking, sometimes humorous ways that we learn from the wisdom of the universe.

In "Holy Smoke," when I saw PJ Waters get off the plane to the sound of Neil Diamond singing "I am I said... I am I cried," I took notice, and became expectant of a punch line somewhere down the road.

This film could be called flawed, and is definitely not for everyone, but I come away from it feeling empowered, humbled, and amused--and appreciative of the sensitive, creative, adventurous spirits who made it.

PJ Waters is retained as an expert to de-program Ruth, but the Universe has other plans in mind... I love it.