Smoke (1995, Harvey Keitel) – Classic Film Review 1057

‘Five strangers. Four secrets. Three schemes. Two best friends. And one neighbourhood hangout where the world still makes sense.’ Director Wayne Wang’s 1995 drama, based on the novel by Paul Auster, is a civilised success.

There’s scintillating talk from a smart ensemble of actors at Harvey Keitel’s Brooklyn tobacconist’s shop, where the customers come to chew over the cud as they buy their smokes.

One of Keitel’s best performances (as Auggie) is enshrined in this stagey-in-a-nice-way film, which probably shouldn’t work as a movie, but somehow does.

William Hurt, Forest Whitaker, Stockard Channing, Harold Perrineau Jr and Ashley Judd are also involved. Perrineau is only two years younger than Whitaker, who plays his father.

(C) Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 1057 derekwinnert.com