200 Cigarettes ** (1999, Martha Plimton, Christina Ricci, Ben Affleck, Janeane Garafolo, Courtney Love, Kate Hudson, Casey Affleck) – Classic Movie Review 4222

A great cast is assembled for director Risa Bramon Garcia’s 1999 comedy-drama look at the dating game for twentyish New York singles on New Year’s Eve, 1981. But, with a ropey script, hot stars are just not enough.

This should come with a health warning – that lots of young stars in a film don’t guarantee its quality. Martha Plimpton, Christina Ricci, Ben Affleck, Janeane Garofalo, Courtney Love, Casey Affleck and Kate Hudson have to struggle with Shana Larsen’s talky screenplay and a vacant look at the dating game for New York singles on New Year’s Eve 1981.

There is great Eighties music on the soundtrack to add to the appeal of the hot stars, but the film is just a curiosity.

Also in the cast are David Chappelle, Guillermo Diaz, Angela Featherstone, Gaby Hoffmann, Catherine Kellner, Brian McCardie, Jay Mohr and Nicole Ari Parker.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4222

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