Rating:  -
let me say, that i loved this movie. i loved it as a whole. i did not "love" every part of it. I think the part with Tom Waits & Iggy Pop is brilliantly awkward. I think Cate Blanchett can do no wrong. I enjoyed seeing someone else who feels that Nikola Tesla was awesomely bizarre (thanks Jack). I mean, don't get me wrong, some vignettes dragged, but others more than made up for it. When a scene was dragging on me, i just drifted off and enjoyed the cinematography. This movie is very much a "different" experience. With the kinda free-flow dialouge that makes movies by Robert Altman and Richard Linklater so endearing. And a shoulder shrugging hipness that makes Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson some of my personal favorites. This movie reminds me that Jim Jarmusch is a curious observer, just like me, and that he isn't just an aloof director, but that he experiences the pieces much like we do. He's our friend or guide, like in a Walt Whitman poem. But then again, i suppose this movie isn't for everyone. There is no plot to follow, and its not a particularly "flashy" film. It's not even terrible experimental in terms of concept. But i am glad that this is the case, cos oft times that type of stuff borders on pretention when in the wrong hands. The only really "challenge" this film poses, is the challenge of the way you choose to participate in it. I would enjoy seeing more of this kind of filmmaking cos i think it is a welcome change of pace from the "falsh/bang" of hollywood. Or maybe i just really like coffee....
Rating:  -
I am admittedly a lover of hard core indie film, so I'm generally more forgiving of flawed works if I can discern a spark of genius. That's how I view Coffee and Cigs. The director may be well known, but looking at this film you get the idea that he's a first time filmmaker attempting to break some new ground. At times he accomplishes just that. At other times, you kind of wonder where the scene is going. I would say the only scene I did not like was the one with the two rocks stars (Iggy Pop and I forget the other guy's name). I think it okay to give stars their stroking, but this scene was all pop star hubris. Other than that, the film is actually a pretty warm and inviting series of anecdotes. Not for the super picky or Hollywood brainwashed.
Rating:  -
It's AWFUL
This could have been one of the greatest cult classics of all time but an idiot wrote it. I don't know he is but I guarantee he didn't work hard to get where he is today. Even the RZA, GZA and Bill Murray couldn't save this piece of junk. Don't get me wrong the idea is wicked cool, but it would have been a better investment if they let some Community College students write the dialogue.
Rating: -
Over the period of 18 years, Jim Jarmusch shot 11 short films, all black and white (his trademark), with a small number of actors for each segment. He then collected them in this package 'Coffee and Cigarettes' which you are seeing right now.
Because of the nature of the film(s), 'Coffee and Cigarettes' is literally a mixed bag. Some of them might interest you, but I'm afraid not many of them would manage to be interesting enough unless you are a die-hard fan of Jarmusch, which I am not. But, anyway, you see these people here:
[LIST OF SHORTS] Robert Benini & Steven Wright in 'Strange to Meet You'; Joie Lee (Spike's brother) & Cinque Lee (Spike' sister) in 'Twins'; Iggy Pop & Tom Waits in 'Somewhere in California'; Joe Rigarno & Vinny Vella & Vinny Vella Jr. in 'Those Things Kill Ya'; Renee French & E.J.Rodriguez in 'Renee'; Alex Descas & Isaach de Bankole in 'No Problem'; Cate Blanchett in 'Cousins'; Meg White & Jack White in 'Jack Shows Meg His Tesla Coil'; Alfred Molina & Steve Coogan in 'Cousins?'; GZA & RZA & Bill Murray in 'Delirium; 'Bill Rice & Taylor Mead in 'Champagne'.
Because of the space, I don't write about the contents, except that each film is very talky, in which people talk over the table, drinking coffee or smoking. But you may know Jarmusch's films are so-called "acquired taste," and this film is no exception. The characters exchange the casual dialogues that might or might not betray their hidden feelings toward each other, and at its best, they are amusing to listen to.
So what is the best? The prize goes to Cate Blanchett who plays herself and her fictional cousin, and you are allowed to see the latter's thinly-disguised envy toward the success of the other. The dual roles (you see the two Cates in one frame) are skillfully handled by Cate Blanchett, whom I started to admire more than ever after seeing her turn.
Another good segment is about Alfred Molina and Steve Coogan, both playing themselves. Coogan meets Molina, rather reluctantly at first. When he realizes that Molina's admiration for him, Coogan begins to talk to him condecendingly until one incident which suddenly changes their relations. Good acting, and nice touch of irony.
But I am afraid not many parts are as good as these two, and Bill Murray, ususally very engaging with his tired face, is really disappointing. Another bad thing is Jarmusch's approach, which becomes redundant as the film goes on. Some of the segments are plain dull, some half-baked, or even look like coming from a film school student.
So my three stars are based on Cate Blanchett, Steve Coogan, and underrated Alfred Molina. Thrre stars for three talents.
Rating: -
I feel the need to correct a statement made by one of the reviewers here. He said "this movie is only for people who really like the IDEA that they're watching a "cool" and "artsy" movie, but who don't actually have any interest in new ideas or even in being provoked into thought." I believe the opposite is true...
This movie is for people who DO HAVE an interest in new ideas and care to be provoked into thought and NOT for those who only like the IDEA that they're watching a "cool, artsy" movie.
I have to say that my first viewing left me confused and disappointed. I guess it all comes down to one's expectations of the film...actually of any film. We expect a plot, confrontation, resolution. We are used to being entertained by high budget films that take us for a ride, spell out everything, leaving nothing to subtlety. This film is all so subtle. It is a quiet film. Its entertainment value lies with those who have an interest in human nature. Upon a second viewing, instead of my waiting for something to happen, I was able to focus on the faces, the body language, the dynamics going on between the actors. I could relate!
I would like also to mention my nostaglia for the title & theme of this film "Coffee & Cigarettes". How I miss the days when I could get a cup of caffeine and light up the nicotine to go along with it while sitting in a public place. I don't know how it is in your part of the country but here if I even light up at someone's barbeque they tell me to walk outside the yard notwithstanding the infinite sky overhead. People have gone crazy over the fear of cigarettes! Coffee shops, as they once were, are nonexistent. They would stone me if I lit up at Starbucks. Oh! the nostalgia of it all.
|