200 Cigarettes

200 Cigarettes

The best way to quit smoking is to replace cigarettes with food. Conversely, the best way to lose weight is to replace food with cigarettes.

Fortunately, the acquaintances in this ensemble comedy are more apt to resolve to have better relationships this year.

On the last day of 1981, Monica (Martha Plimpton) agonizes over the attendance record of her New Year's Eve party.

Elsewhere, two teens from Long Island (Gaby Hoffmann, Christina Ricci) navigate the streets of New York, while two opposites (Kate Hudson, Jay Mohr) embark on an uncomfortable first date.

Across town, life-long friends (Courtney Love, Paul Rudd) confront their sexual tension. And chaperoning the couples around is a sage and sedate cabbie (Dave Chappelle).

An amorous anthology of quirky couples dealing with riotous relationship woes, 200 Cigarettes assembles a talented cast to supply the absurdity.

Besides, January 31 isn't about unfulfilled expectations; it's about dispelling end-of-world prophecies. (Green Light)

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This movie tried to provide insightful revelations into human relations through humor. I know humor is subjective but I found the film to be only intermittently funny. I think the film could could've been better had they trimmed some of the characters. There are many big names in this film but they all receive only scant screen time. There are better offerings out there, 6/10.

I thought this movie was very entertaining. I loved every minute of it. I love nostalgic movies about the 1980's, and this is one of the better ones to come out recently. Courtney Love stood out as the best actress in the movie; she definitely stole the show. I only had one complaint, there were lots of high quality stars, but not enough time devoted to each individual one. Go out and see this one. It is worth the time! :-)

I really love party movies, really mindless, fun party movies w/good music, bright, outlandish fashions and hilarious memorable characters. The entire cast was laugh out loud funny, from Dave Chapelle as the jive talkin' disco cabbie to Martha Plimpton's howl of a distraught party hostess. Paul Rudd was exceptionally great as Kevin the dumpee who is all grouchy and depressed, and so was Angela Featherstone as Caitlyn the poser. Ben Affleck was good as the bartender, mainly because he didn't talk much. Brother Casey was very cute as a punk/roadie who befriends the two underage partyers played by Christina Ricci and Gaby Hoffman. Courtney Love was really good as Lucy. I always love Jeaneane Garafalo and she didn't disappoint here as Ellie. I really didn't get why Guillermo Diaz got more exposure, like on the DVD cover art, than characters who were much more memorable, like Hillary played by Catherine Kellner (hilariously ditzy), Bridget, played by the very pretty and funny Nicole Parker, and the lousy lover Scotsman Eric, played by Brian McCardie. Jay Mohr and Kate Hudson were also very lovable as Jack and Cindy. Lots of good music by the Commodores, the Cars, Bow Wow Wow, Blondie, Rick James and many more. A great film to revisit the outrageous Reagan era!!!

Everyone seems so grumpy about this film! C'mon, it's just doing what you've been wanting to do for years. Envy is so unbecoming.

Admit it. You've always meant to take all your friends, cook them down to provide enough essential oil to include each of them as a character in a vignette, toss them all into a conglomerate situation and see where they go. 200 Cigs accomplishes this goal with effortless ease. The archetypal characters can still be found wandering the East Village today.

And if you've ever spent a night bumbling around the lower east side, trying to get somewhere, but getting caught in the mire of the late night social whirlwind that simply *is* Manhattan dahlink, you'll recognize the look and feel of this film as well. It is captured with alarming verisimilitude. It's quite amazing how little things change. Except today, Stephy's fear of Ave. B would be bumped up to D.

And, okay, it bears mentioning -- the soundtrack nails down 1981 flawlessly. Buzzcocks? Kool & the Gang? Bow Wow Wow? B Movie? Go-Go's? Grace Jones? Courtney Love singing along wistfully with the Ice Castles theme? And the most brilliant band to feature, Blue Angel -- Cyndi Lauper's pre-Lauper band. The only band they missed was the B-52's.

I watched this movie on a Friday night before I went out. I was feeling tired and done with the day and would have preferred to stay home. 200 Cigs so perfectly captured the fabulousness of being out on the town, that I caught the fevah, bay-bee, put on my glitter clothes and made some splashes. I was inspired.

$$$$1/2 out of 5 in the "Money Shot" scale.