Smoke main backdrop
Smoke main poster

7.2/10 • 493

1995-06-091h 52m

ComedyDrama

The most precious things are lighter than air.

Writer Paul Benjamin is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole saves his life, and soon middle-aged Paul tells homeless Rashid that he wouldn't mind a short-term housemate. Still grieving over his wife's murder, Paul is moved by both Rashid's quest to reconnect with his father and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.

Directors
Wayne Wang
Writters
Paul Auster
Editors
Christopher Tellefsen

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Harvey Keitel

    Harvey Keitel

    Augustus 'Auggie' Wren

  2. William Hurt

    William Hurt

    Paul Benjamin

  3. Stockard Channing

    Stockard Channing

    Ruby McNutt

  4. Harold Perrineau

    Harold Perrineau

    Thomas 'Rashid' Cole

  5. Forest Whitaker

    Forest Whitaker

    Cyrus Cole

  6. Giancarlo Esposito

    Giancarlo Esposito

    1st OTB Man / Tommy

  7. José Zúñiga

    José Zúñiga

    2nd OTB Man / Jerry

  8. Stephen Gevedon

    Stephen Gevedon

    OTB Man #3 / Dennis

  9. Jared Harris

    Jared Harris

    Jimmy Rose

Reviews1

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Filipe Manuel Neto Avatar

Filipe Manuel Neto

Jun 18, 2023

5/10

A set of stories, more than a story made up of stories. This film reminded me, in a certain way, of a polite version of “Clerks”, an unorthodox comedy where everything revolves around a convenience store, a video club and two employees from those same stores. Here, everything revolves around Auggie Wren's tobacconist, who takes a picture of the shop every day, at the same time. In one of them, by chance, the deceased wife of one of the store's customers appears who, after being saved from being run over by a boy, decides to help him. The film is discreet, does not have great cinematography resources, nor visuals. Everything here revolves around the characters, their individual stories, the way they intersect and interconnect. The script is very important for the film, but the work of the actors cannot be overlooked either. Harvey Keitel does a very worthy and well-executed job, and William Hurt, Harold Perrineau and Forest Whitaker follow him closely, so we have a good cast working hard. The big problem with this movie is that it really doesn't have much more to offer. For those who like films that are very much based on characters, their behavior, their stories, and well-written dialogues, the film is wonderful. For anyone hoping this all boils down to a story that is more than a set of stories, the film may be disappointing.

Media

  • Smoke poster
  • Smoke poster
  • Smoke poster
  • Smoke poster
  • Smoke poster
  • Smoke poster
  • Smoke poster
  • Smoke poster
  • Smoke poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$7,000,000.00
Revenue
$8,349,430.00
Keywords
smokingrobbercigaretteladenwriter