By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 1.75
Director: John Turturro
Starring: Bobby Cannavale | James Gandolfini | Kate Winslet | Mandy Moore | Steve Buscemi | Susan Sarandon
Country: united_states
Year: 2007
Running time: 105
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368222/
Diane says: “Zany beginning fades to a ragged story in John Turturro’s third outing as director. James Gandolfini opens with an all-out singing and dancing number on the street of his Brooklyn neighborhood, supported by garbagemen et al. His wife, Susan Sarandon, has found evidence of an affair and is throwing him out.
“Later, Gandolfini, beleaguered father and husband besotted by dirty-talking Kate Winslet, reprises Victor Mature’s ‘Samson and Delilah’ on a backyard swing set. Choreography includes moves from WEST SIDE STORY, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN and your other faves. Delightful perfs from Christopher Walken, Elaine Stritch, Steve Buscemi. Typical cinematic shots get a twist in this working class neighborhood setting, e.g., snow falling on an electric meter.
“Tuturro was on hand to introduce, revealing that he is the love child of Laurence Olivier and Danny Kaye. Coen Brothers produced. 2 cats.
“ROMANCE & CIGARETTES was screened at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival”
Bruce says: “It is painful to watch a film when you are well aware of what the director has set out to accomplish but cannot seem to do it no matter what. In the case of ROMANCE AND CIGARETTES, a working class musical, there are two culprits: a weak, poorly conceived script and a miscasting. The miscasting is problematic. James Gandolfini is perfect for the role but he cannot sing. Involving him in a sing-along with the original recording artist does not resolve the problem nor does it much to camouflage it. Most of the cast visibly struggles with the weak dialogue and fuzzily defined characters. There are exceptions. Susan Sarandon, playing the wronged wife, is absolutely stunning. Mandy Moore acquits herself admirably. The foul-mouthed Kate Winslet is sublime. Barbara Sukowa – yes, Fassbinder’s famed actress – also tries admirably
“On the negative side, Elaine Stritch is a parody of herself, which occasionally works on stage and almost never works on film. Christopher Walken is nearly unwatchable. Mary Louise Parker struggles but to no avail; it is unclear where her character is coming from and she cannot make sense out of her role. Bobby Cannavale overacts. Aida Turturro is a visual essay on the perils of nepotism. Steve Buscemi is underutilized.
“The plot itself is somewhat of a chestnut dating back to at least Ernst Lubitsch’s HEAVEN CAN WAIT (1943). Nick Murder (Gandolfini) is a philandering husband who foolishly confesses his most recent infidelity. He suddenly discovers he has cancer and his days are very much numbered. His wife, mistress, mother, and three daughters are all emotionally impacted by the news. His wife vows to honor her ’til death do us part’ vows and deals with the situation with reserved compassion and affection.
“Every so often a musical number is staged, more or less for something to do. First up is Englebert Humperdinck’s ‘A Man without Love,’ which finds Gandolfini swinging on lampposts as he sings along with Humperdinck. Other songs include ‘Hot Pants,’ ‘I Want Candy,’ ‘Answer Me, My Love,’ ‘Red-headed Woman,’ ‘It Must Be Him,’ ‘The Girl That I Marry,’ and ‘The Ten Commandments of Love.’
“The film does have a few good moments as one would expect. But those moments are too few and far between scenes that I would prefer to have been paid to watch, not the other way around. 1.5 cats”
Scot says: “I thought this film was a misogynistic piece of caca.
“But Christopher Walken was pretty funny, IMHO.”