
The plot of this movie, like smoke, drifts and swirls ethereally. Characters and subplots are deftly woven into a tapestry of stories and pictures which only slowly emerges to our view. This movie tries to convince us that reality doesn't matter so much as aesthetic satisfaction. In Auggie Wren's (Harvey Keitel's) New York City smoke shop, day by day passes, seemingly unchanging until he teaches us to notice the little details of life. Paul Benjamin (William Hurt), a disheart... (Full plot summary below)
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The plot of this movie, like smoke, drifts and swirls ethereally. Characters and subplots are deftly woven into a tapestry of stories and pictures which only slowly emerges to our view. This movie tries to convince us that reality doesn't matter so much as aesthetic satisfaction. In Auggie Wren's (Harvey Keitel's) New York City smoke shop, day by day passes, seemingly unchanging until he teaches us to notice the little details of life. Paul Benjamin (William Hurt), a disheartened and broken writer, has a brush with death that is pivotal and sets up an unlikely series of events that afford him a novel glimpse into the life on the street which he saw, but did not truly perceive, every day. Finally, it's Auggie's turn to spin a tale.
Leave your thoughts about Smoke.
| Rolling StonePeter TraversA sharply observant and witty film that plumbs unexpected depths of feeling. |
| ReelViewsJames BerardinelliEach conversation has at least one memorable line, and it's always delivered in such a casual manner that it blends right in. |
| San Francisco ExaminerBarbara ShulgasserThe delight of the movie is Keitel, who finally gets to play someone who doesn't look like he's about to mug you. |
| San Francisco ChronicleEdward GuthmannA showcase for Wang's greatest strengths as a film maker: a chance to explore friendships, connections and random serendipities. |
| The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick GroenA film of deceptive narrative wisps and intricate thematic curls. |
| Christian Science MonitorJeff DanzigerThe best vignette, at the very end of the film, is the story Auster originally wrote for a newspaper as a Christmas piece, the one that inspired Wang to make Smoke in the first place. It's the one you'll want to inhale. |
| Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertA beguiling film about words, secrets and tobacco. |
| Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenKnockout ensemble performances like these don't come around all that often, though, and when they do they ought to be savored. |
| Washington PostRita KempleyA celebration of buddies and butts, it's an unconventionally structured, wonderfully acted group portrait of the regulars at a Brooklyn cigar store. |
| Washington PostDesson ThomsonA wonderfully unhurried and precious yarn. |