Smoke – Review

At a New York City Brooklyn borough tobacco and convenience store, customers argue over baseball lineups and trades, lamenting why the team is no longer good. Owner Augie Wren (Keitel) mans the register. Writer Paul Benjamin (Hurt) rolls in for some cigars and philosophical discourse.

Paul wanders off lost in his head, and is saved from walking into the street and in front of a fast-moving car by Rashid Cole (Perrineau). A connection is made. As the smoke shop’s consumers go about their days, we get peeks into their routines and overall beings. The characters evolve and follow their arcs, and we get a few surprises along with this path. This is a dramatic affair and is not really comedic, and is told in multiple character centric chapters.

Smoke may be all dialogue, but it holds a sharply written script and remains interesting throughout. The characters are authentic and interesting, and the slice of life plot lets them breathe. As with real life, there is often more to the people in the story than what they initially show. This is a good drama with strong acting and quality direction. Watching the characters grow and their stories unfold is a worthwhile time.

Well, that’s what people see, but it ain’t necessarily what I am.

There is an “outtakes,” debate and unused clips film stringed together called Blue in the Face about the same smoke shop and many of the same characters.

Comparisons below have elements but are not a direct companion to this film.