Rating: 
Summary: interesting movie
Review: I find it really very strange that throughout his long and illustrous carreer Harvey Keitel has been nominated just once for the Academy Awards! His lazy way of telling a story at the end of "Smoke" should have deserved at least a nomination, not to talk about his brilliant performances in "Taxi driver", "Pulp fiction", "Mean streets", or "The piano".
Rating: 
Summary: smoke is my favorite film. Auster is a genius
Review: I have been tangled in a sort of unbelivable web of auster as of late.. it began when I was 12 years old, and saw smoke.. although it touched me then, I hardly had the capacity to fully apreciate it... i went to the local tower records recently, and bought smoke and blue in the face. They blew me away.. I went to a book store, bought HAND TO MOUTH- his 1996 memoir, new york trilogy, the screenplays hes written, vertigo man, leviathan, and a book of his poetry, and went into this crazy immersion into the word and prose of paul auster.. and i cant escape.. smoke is classic.. its classy in a world that lacks class.. its sheer beauty that comes from within the human spirit.. and, rather than succoming to the likes of the majority of independant cinema these days, it revives our faith in the power of human spirit without being muchy, and without the use of heroin being implied.. tobbacco.. the purest, most classical form of indulgence we have left is just like the film iself.. bittersweet..tastes great.., but in the end leaves you feeling great
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Summary: One of the most tender and human picture I ve ever seen
Review: I m not so god in English in orde to write a 1000 words about the film,but I just love it,its an all-time favourite
Rating:
Summary: Ensemble Cast, First-Rate Acting, and Raw Storytelling Power
Review: In a world where Big-Budgeted Blockbusters rule,....it's a nice refreshing turn to see "little films" soar! I had the distinct pleasure of viewing this simplistically, yet elegantly shot masterpiece in the art-house theaters,.and it's just damn good storytelling,with NO special digital effects or CGIs from ILM!
William Hurt and Harvey Keitel (in his best performance since Mean Streets and Bad Lieutenant) are incredible followed by a bunch of supporters like Stockard Channing, Forrest Whitaker,Ashley Judd (like you've never seen her!)and Oz's Harold Perrineau Jr. All of these characters are intertwined like the best Robert Altman film you've ever seen plus some! Be warned! It IS slowly paced,.but the highlight of the film is the story Keitel tells Hurt in the coffee shop at the end. Just notice how slowly Keitel tells the story,and the slowest dolly push in shot, and how beautifully framed that one shot that covers the whole scene pretty much looks. It's ALL character-driven performances are top-notch all around,and Auggie's(Keitel)Brooklyn Cigar Shop (the central setpiece) will mesmerize you long after the credits roll! Once again,.this film is not for kids, or Steven Segal or Van Damme fans with 1/2 hour Springer time-slot-esque attention spans! Enjoy, and e-mail me with your opinions!( Also check out the sequel called Blue in the Face!It's from the same writer/director team (Paul Auster and Wayne Wang) who brought us Smoke. New music from the Jerry Garcia Band,too!)
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Summary: Sleeper Smoke fine example of great movie story-telling
Review: In an era where big budget glitz rules the film industry, a well crafted movie like Smoke is a breath of fresh air. Harvey Keitel, who plays the central character of Augie, is the one constant in an ever-moving stream of humanity that is Brooklyn. Augie is both witness and participant,and through the lens of his street corner perched camera, we realize that the world is made up of millions of stories, nearly all of which are in some way compelling. William Hurt's character is one such story. Once a prolific writer, Hurt's talent has been thwarted by life's brutality, one which we are reminded of constantly thoughout the film. Finally, he is able to deal with the grief of his wife's loss throught the selfless act of helping a young runaway. The scene where Hurt spots his wife in one of Augie's street corner photographs is one of the films many poignant moments. Great performances are delivered without exception by all the actors, but as is the case in so many of his films,Mr. Keitel steals the show. Probably more so than any actor of his generation, Harvey Keitel has mastered the ability to create characters who are both human, warts and all, yet also sympathetic. The telling of his Christmas story to the faithful customers of the smoke shop is probably the highlight of this film and is simply a brilliant piece of story-telling. What makes Smoke so different from mainstream movies is the fact that one can't help but feel that one is watching a well acted play, in that every line of dialog is so crucial, every character so meaningful.Not a scene could have been deleted without seriously damaging the final product, and when was the last time you could say that about a film? Smoke portrays Brooklyn convincingly as an exotic stew of diverse cultures and personalities, and in at least some of these personalities we must surely see a bit of ourselves.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites!
Review: It's a shame that more people don't know about this great film. Watching this movie is an experience similar to reading a good book. You feel like you are involved in the character's lives, and when it's over there are layers and layers of meaning to explore. I've seen it four times and I will see it again.
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Summary: Everynight it's just the same, you leave me lonely now...
Review: Outside another yellow moon
Has punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
I climb through the window and down to the street
I'm shining like a new dime
The downtown trains are full with all of those Brooklyn girls
They try so hard to break out of their little worlds
Well you wave your hand and they scatter like crows
They have nothing that will ever capture your heart
They're just thorns without the rose
Be careful of them in the dark
Oh, if I was the one you chose to be your only one
Oh baby can't you hear me now, can't you hear me now
I know your window and I know it's late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light at the four-way
You watch them as they fall, oh baby, they all have heart attacks
They stay at the carnival, but they'll never win you back...
-This movie is outstanding, top to bottom, start to end. This movie's got a vibe to it that just doesn't let up and if it connects with you like it does with me, you'll love it. Dialogue and writing that will just pierce through you like a round from a thirty-ought-six. Direction that is amazing. And, if you're at all familiar with NYC - I'm a SF native myself, but know NYC far better than any two-bit bowery boy - then you're in for a treat as well too. It's just got a flow to it that you're gonna connect with.
If you've seen this and like it, check out the "sequel" Blue in the Face." It too is right on par with this. Also, check out any of Jim Jarmusch's films too (e.g., Down By Law, Mystery Train, Dead Man, Coffee and Cigarettes, etc.).
Oh, the piece above? It's relevant to the movie. Those who have seen it know what it is if they were paying attention. Others may know it just by knowing it or knowing that it was written by one of the greatest songwriters/performers alive. But, it is a part of this movie and I just wanted to include it for you. Another reviewer here *hinted* at it in their excellent review when they mentioned some of the scenery. Anyway, maybe it'll serve as some motivation for some of you to finally break down and get this absolutely stunning film finally. I hope so.
Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: THOUGHTFUL ENTERTAINMENT: Excellent Keitel/Hurt pas de deux
Review: Probably, everything that can be critiqued about Smoke in a customer review appears below, and many of them deserve five stars. This is the kind of off beat film that begins far away from its main point. So in a sense, it takes you on a journey. Especially, if you've grown up in very large urban centers where there were local neighborhoods with ancient, musty old small stores run by engaging proprietors this scene and story will resonate with you. But even if you did not enjoy the benefits of New York City's inner city, many of the characters can be similarly identified in daily rural life in Arkansas. The grizzled and contemplative cigar store proprietor Auggie Wren is masterfully played by Harvey Keitel. He plays a man hanging on to his business while trying to sqeeze out of the dreariness of each day some kind of meaningful life. He doesn't go out to meet life ... it comes to meet him in his cigar store. A customer and not quite neighborhood friend played to its understated fullest by William Hurt, is a formerly celebrated novelist Paul now struggles with his tragic life and getting back to writing. The thread which connects the action is pulled through the film by a street wise teenage "black kid" calling himself "Rashid" is very well acted by Harold Perrineau Jr. Everyone is searching for something in SMOKE. Rashid, his father; Paul his lost interest in life; and Auggie his lost meaning of life. Not all of the movie takes place in the cigar store ... b ut a lot of it does, and perhaps like Hitchcock in REAR WINDOW or THE ROPE, the photography and direcrting make it work. But there are many other scenes on sites to provide both variety and action. This film not only works it is a terrific journey that promises to take you through many ideas and situations that are familiar and some bizarre. But they are always interesting and enjoyable. That's what entertainment is about. It is a good idea to see this movie in a settled-in-for-the-night state. Full enjoyment in it requires attention that inevitably gives way to immersion. I agree with those reviewers who wrote that at least Keitel and the screen adaptation of this film deserved 1995 Academy Award nominations. See for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Fresh, New and Different
Review: Smoke is a great off beat film that took me by surprise. I just happened to catch it on cable one day. For those of you that live in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, you'll love seeing that part of town on film including the "J" train as it slowly creeps up the track towards the Williamsburgh Bridge and BedStuy off in the hazy distance and the old Williamsburgh Bank in the foreground. It's a long lazy shot and I find myself sometimes watching that scene over and over again. It's a beautiful shot of that part of Brooklyn. Close enough to hear the train but far enough to keep the other city noises in the background. Utterly beautiful!
This film is full of quirky characters. Auggie (Harvey Keitel) is probably the most off beat and quirky of them all. Stockard Channing gives a stunning performance as Auggie's ex girlfriend and Ashley Judd is brilliant, even though she only has one scene, as their drug addicted, poor and bitter daughter. The film also stars William Hurt (Altered States), Harold Perrineau Jr, (Romeo&Juliet) and Forest Whitaker (Panic Room).
The most unexpected moment in Smoke is Auggie's Christmas story. I don't want to give too much away but it's sad, touching and funny all at the same time. Don't look for special effects, explosions, car chases or gun fights here. There are none. Just good storytelling.
Also interesting are the bonus attractions on the dvd. Seeing the director (Wayne Wang) direct another director (Forest Whitaker) and watching Whitaker accept and discuss Wang's directions were especially captivating.
All in all, a lovely film to curl up with. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Review: Smoke is an involving and literate peek into the lives of a Brooklyn tobacco store owner and his writer friend. Stripped of all Hollywood excess, it blows a puff of wry recognition into our eyes and charms us with meaningful conversation. Rarely is a slice-of-life tale so intoxicating. The acting, often captured in long, stationary shots invites us with words and teases us with stories. The most shattering of these being the Christmas story Auggie (Keitel) relates to Paul (Hurt) toward the end of the film. Director Wayne Wang and writer Paul Auster give us reason to cheer for their lackluster but likable characters building lasting relationships and taking life one day at a time. Smoke's a real killer, but I guarantee you'll die with a smile on your face.
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