Romance & Cigarettes

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.

Any of us who got to see John Tuturo's first film, 'Mac' thought, "well, John can certainly act, but now he can direct as well". His next couple of films barely squeaked out of the starting gate. Then he gave us 'Romance & Cigarettes',which although produced in 2005, is only now getting some distribution (out of John's own pocket,after United Artists,the studio that was originally supposed to distribute it underwent a change in staff,and ended up falling in a black hole in space). Despite a killer cast (James Gandolfini from 'The Sopranos',Susan Sarandon,from 'Thelma & Louise','The Rocky Horror Picture Show',and others),this is a mess of a film, that is occasionally a very funny mess,but none the less, a mess. The musical numbers seem to be slotted in where they just don't belong (although I will admit that I'm not exactly a fan of the musical format). Perhaps a re-edit would benefit this film greatly. It's still worth a look for Gandolfini,Sarandon,and company. I'm sure it'll turn up on DVD,sooner or later.

Construction worker Nick Murder (James Gandolfini) is married with Kitty (Susan Sarandon) and has three daughters. However one day Kitty discovers a written message Nick sent to another woman. After a fire where he takes service as a fireman with his best friend Angelo (Steve Buscemi) he goes again to his mistress Tula (Kate Winslet), and she asks Nick to choose between her or his wife. Nick has to choose between the extramarital affair or redemption, and has to do it before it's too late.

ROMANCE AND CIGARETTES is quite a strange experiment in its own way. From the plot it looks like a sentimental comedy yet it has also drama moments and looks a bit like a musical. This blending of genres worked greatly and I have to say it, I have never seen something like this before! The cast is full of great names (James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Steve Buscemi, Kate Winslet, Christopher Walken in an explosive cameo as Sarandon's cousin who loves singing even in restaurants, Eddie Izzard, Elaine Stritch and Mary Louise Parker) which gives all entertaining performances. The direction by John Turturro (who even has a brief cameo as a male dancer) is slick and fluid.

If you are in the right mindset, you might probably love this movie especially if you want to see something unique.

"Romance & Cigarettes" is a flawed but endearing film. Its stylised dialogue -- often stitched together from song lyrics, lines from films and, I think, even a snatch of Beckett's Endgame -- its characters bursting into lip-synched song and dance, its strange, disjointed scenes and its total lack of romance will doubtless annoy a lot of people hoping for something somewhat more straightforward and conventional. Personally, I was hoping for something that might address the issues of love, romance and relationships which the film, instead, prodded gently before dancing and singing around them. I would also have liked to have seen more of Mary Louise Parker, who I thought was cruelly underused. And...Eddie Izzard? And yet...and yet...I really liked this film. It had an inventiveness and a quirky charm, a surreal, loopy approach to narrative and dialogue, was beautifully filmed and -- within limitations of the form -- wonderfully acted. Particular kudos to Kate Winslet, unrecognizably and thoroughly dislikeable, who nonetheless "sings" one of the more heart-stopping numbers, Ute Lemper's version of Cave & Piseks "Little Water Song", while underwater. Meanwhile, adding to his gallery of whacked-out and weird characters, Christopher Walken delivers what must be one of his weirdest performances yet as the Elvis-idolising Cousin Bo. Like a lot of things in this film, you have to see it to believe it, and even then you won't be too sure.

I see cultdom beckoning for this little gem, late-night showings, repeated viewings, singalongs and favourite lines of dialogue bandied about like a secret currency. It's unlikely that it would have been made if it wasn't John Turturro writing and the Coens producing, but now it's out there, I recommend it be seen, if only for curiosity value. You either hate it or love it and -- for all its flaws -- I loved it.

John Turturro I watch you closely, performances were excellent brilliant casting of stars, and a laugh a minute. I've recommended it to many friends and periodically watch it again, im a big movie buff. I know performance fairly well and The Who's who in it speaks to a special audience I'm sure, any open minded comedy lover would adore Miss Winslet and the late James Gandolfini, just read the names of the entire cast expect their best under Mr Turturros direction and Brooklyese sense of humor, this movies KILLS! A saluda to the cast and writer director John Turturro. I have type 600 or more characters, where I had jut arrived. See this movie I promise you a beautiful experience, a laugh a minute, meticulously delivered, James n Kate explode, Chris Walken need I say more?