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Review: Andrew Ewing | Rating:
2
COFFEE and Cigarettes is director Jim Jarmusch’s tenth
film.
Those familiar with his previous work, which includes Night on
Earth, Mystery Train and his 1983 breakthrough feature, Stranger
Than Paradise, will somewhat know what to expect.
This is a good thing. Jarmusch has an identifiable style, an
alternative take on a classic approach to cinema, though, in this
case, it is reserved for the conversations between a dozen or
so duos in coffee houses around the world.
Characters range from musical stalwarts, Tom Waits and Iggy Pop,
Jack and Meg White (Stripes), Cate Blanchett and Cate Blanchett,
and a host of others, including Roberto Benigni and comedian,
Steven Wright, whose segment was shot in 1986 and served as the
inspiration for the final movie.
Most of the conversations are entertaining on one level or another.
One or two stray into somewhat lacklustre territory, but Jarmusch
is a good enough director to saddle some of his funniest conversations
up against the more obscure, to keep the audience with him.
The highlight of the film may be the downright hilarious exchange
between Alan Partridge himself, British comedian Steve Coogan
and UK export, Alfred Molina (currently starring as Doctor Otto
Octavius in Spiderman
2).
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“Can I say no?” remarks
Coogan, as Molina asks him for his home number in a conversation
that offers a sharp critique of the shallow world behind the scenes
in the US film business.
Bill Murray also serves up a tasty scenario with Wu Tang Clan
alumni, RZA and GZA, offering medicinal advice to the unhealthy
eighties icon.
RZA, of course, is no stranger to Jarmusch world, having composed
the impressive score to the director’s 1999 samurai tome,
Ghost Dog. The same can be said for many of the cast members and,
at times, the film revels in an almost family reunion feel.
Shot entirely in black and white, Coffee and Cigarettes reminds
one of the director's earlier films in tone and style as well
as his 1995 Johnny Depp offering, Dead Man.
Some critics have labelled the film self-indulgent and, well,
it is, but it is the type of indulgence that sits very well if
you, too, are an aficionado of the coffee bean or the tobacco
plant.
One will find much to relate to within the 90 minutes of ashing
out and pouring sugar, as long as one does not search for deep
and meaningful truths and perhaps accepts the almost Seinfeldian
nature of the piece.
Just make sure you have an open café nearby, to quench
your growing thirst afterwards. And a pack of Marlboro, if your
tastes lean that way too.
Not a banner film for the Anti Smoking campaign! One lump or
two?
Coffee and Cigarettes opens at Luna Leederville on Thursday,
August 19.
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