Romance & Cigarettes (2005)

A down-and-dirty musical set in the world of working-class New York, tells a story of a husband's journey into infidelity and redemption when he must choose between his seductive mistress and his beleaguered wife.

Director:

John Turturro

Writer:

John Turturro

Stars:

James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Gandolfini	...	Nick Murder
Susan Sarandon	...	Kitty Kane
Kate Winslet	...	Tula
Steve Buscemi	...	Angelo
Bobby Cannavale	...	Fryburg
Mandy Moore	...	Baby
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Constance
Aida Turturro	...	Rosebud
Christopher Walken	...	Cousin Bo
Barbara Sukowa	...	Gracie
Elaine Stritch	...	Nick's Mother
Eddie Izzard	...	Gene Vincent
Amy Sedaris	...	Frances
P.J. Brown	...	Police Officer
Adam LeFevre	...	Fruitman

Storyline

Down-and-dirty musical love story set in the world of the working class. Nick is an ironworker who builds and repairs bridges. He's married to Kitty, a dressmaker, a strong and gentle woman with whom he has three daughters. He is carrying on a torrid affair with a redheaded woman named Tula. Nick is basically a good, hardworking man driven forward by will and blinded by his urges. Like Oedipus at Colonus, he is sent into exile and searches to find his way back through the damage he has done. Explores the cost and value of a relationship through life and death. When the characters can no longer express themselves with language, they break into song, lip-synching the tunes lodged in their subconscious. It is their way to escape the harsh reality of their world - to dream, to remember, and to connect to another human being.

---

Plot Keywords:

dream | new york | redemption | lover | mini skirt | 

---

Taglines:

A Savage Musical

---

Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content including some strong dialogue, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Icon Film Distribution [uk]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2006 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Apisties kai tsigara

Filming Locations:

Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$11,630 (USA) (5 October 2007)

Gross:

$540,085 (USA) (11 January 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, GreeneStreet Films, Icon Entertainment International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the film was shown at the Venice Film Festival and had an official release in the UK in 2006, the movie was not released in the US for years. This was mainly due to the fact that MGM was bought by a consortium headed by Sony in 2005, which led to a legal mess of whom, either MGM or Sony has the rights to the movie. In August 2007 director John Turturro decided to distribute the movie with his own money.

---

Goofs

When Nick first comes into the house toward the beginning of the movie, his daughter's band is playing outside. When he shuts the front door, the music volume does not change. It should become more muffled with the door shut.

---

Quotes

Baby: You're the best kisser in the whole wide world, Fryburg.
Fryburg: I'm gonna make out with your whole family, baby.

---

Connections

References Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958)

---

Soundtracks

"Trouble"
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Used by permission of Chrysalis Songs and Cherry Lane Music Publishing Co. o/b/o/ Gladys Music (ASCAP),
Jerry Leiber Music (ASCAP) and Mike Stoller Music (ASCAP)
Performed by Elvis Presley
Courtesy of BMG Strategic Marketing Group
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Licensing

User Reviews

Great movie - don't be put off by the "musical" tag

John Turturro has created something very special here. Look at the cast list. The names alone make it a must-see for many cinema lovers, yet the description of musical might also put many off. Well don't worry. This film uses existing songs to enhance emotional statements at intervals throughout this gritty film. It mixes them with Brooklyn working life, some sex, lots of humour and pathos and fantastically it all works. The songs are used a la Dennis Potter and seep in and out of the narrative flow as easily as a gentle voice-over. Great performances by everyone but stunners from Kate Winslet (now that's a proper body), Elaine Stritch ("Every breath is a victory") and Christopher Walken, always riveting. James Gandolfini plays a slightly different Tony Soprano but that fits in just right. Quite simply a pleasure from first 'til last. Thank you John.