Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)

A series of vignettes that all have coffee and cigarettes in common.

Director:

Jim Jarmusch

Writer:

Jim Jarmusch

Stars:

Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, RZA

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roberto Benigni	...	Roberto (segment "Strange to Meet You")
Steven Wright	...	Steven (segment "Strange to Meet You")
Joie Lee	...	Good Twin (segment "Twins")
Cinqué Lee	...	Evil Twin / Kitchen Guy (segment "Twins / Jack Shows Meg His Tesla Coil")
Steve Buscemi	...	Waiter (segment "Twins")
Iggy Pop	...	Iggy (segment "Somewhere in California") (archive footage)
Tom Waits	...	Tom (segment "Somewhere in California") (archive footage)
Joseph Rigano	...	Joe (segment "Those Things'll Kill Ya") (as Joe Rigano)
Vinny Vella	...	Vinny (segment "Those Things'll Kill Ya")
Vinny Vella Jr.	...	Vinny Jr. (segment "Those Things'll Kill Ya")
Renee French	...	Renée (segment "Renée") (as Renée French)
E.J. Rodriguez	...	Waiter (segment "Renée")
Alex Descas	...	Alex (segment "No Problem")
Isaach De Bankolé	...	Isaach (segment "No Problem")
Cate Blanchett	...	Cate / Shelly (segment "Cousins")

Storyline

A comic series of short vignettes built on one another to create a cumulative effect, as the characters discuss things as diverse as caffeine popsicles, Paris in the '20s, and the use of nicotine as an insecticide--all the while sitting around sipping coffee and smoking cigarettes. As director Jim Jarmusch delves into the normal pace of our world from an extraordinary angle, he shows just how absorbing the obsessions, joys and addictions of life can be, if truly observed.

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Plot Keywords:

coffee | vignette | caffeine | addiction | nicotine | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [fr] Official site [us]

Country:

USA Japan Italy

Language:

English French

Release Date:

12 March 2004 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Café e Cigarros

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$99,162 (USA) (14 May 2004)

Gross:

$1,971,135 (USA) (16 July 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Asmik Ace Entertainment, BIM, Smokescreen Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was made over a 17-year period. The Roberto Benigni and Steven Wright segment was filmed in 1987. The Tom Waits and Iggy Pop segment was shot in 1992.

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Goofs

When toasting in the Champagne sequence, the cup of Taylor Mead changes hands.

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Quotes

Steve: I've not given my number out to many eminent people in the past. I've not given my number out to Sam Mendes, so you're in good company.
Alfred: Well, if it's good enough for Sam Mendes it's good enough for me.

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Crazy Credits

Tesla Coil Wrangler ... Peter Kunz

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Connections

References Ghostbusters (1984)

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Soundtracks

"Lonesome Road"
Written by Doug Wood
Courtesy of Omnimusic

User Reviews

Killing Me Softly With These Things...

"Coffee and Cigarettes" (2004) written and directed by Jim Jarmush is a very simple movie shot in B/W, a typical in the good sense independent movie. It is a collection of eleven shorts where famous actors, comedians, rock-stars, and musicians played themselves. They drink coffee (lots of it), smoke, and talk. While each segment is short, we still can learn a lot about human nature.

I read some comments and was surprised that there are so many negative opinions. Some users think that the movie was slow - I did not even notice how the time flew. Of eleven shorts, six were wonderful, and the rest - quite watchable. After I finished watching it, I started all over and watched the ones that I loved for a second time. The best, IMO are "Somewhere in California" with Iggy Pop and Tom Waits, "Cousins" - (Cate Blanchette plays a dual role - herself and her not so successful cousin, and she is as good as ever in the dual performance); "These Things Will Kill You" (Joe Rigano, Vinny Vella, and Vinny Vella, Jr), "Cousins?" – easily the best in the bunch (Alfred Molina and Steve Coogan), "Delirious" – the funniest (RZA, GZA, and Bill Murray), and the final one, the elegiac "Champagne" – (Bill Rice and Taylor Mead).