Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageBlue in the Face (1995)
Director: Wayne Wang, Paul Auster
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Wang and Auster had so many ideas and incidents left over from Smoke that they knocked out this mostly improvised feature in one week after finishing the shoot of the other film. Prior commitments prevented most of the Smoke cast from sticking around, so this centres on Keitel's Auggie Wren and makes his tobacco store the centre of a freewheeling Brooklyn universe. Roseanne barges in as the semi-detached wife of the owner, Lily Tomlin hangs around as the bag lady, Fox intercepts passers-by with a questionnaire, Jim Jarmusch buys what he says will be his last packet of cigarettes and Madonna drops in to sing a telegram. It's hit and miss, of course, but its slacker charm perfectly complements the dovetailed plotting of Smoke. A celebration of loose ends that will have you thinking of a move to Brooklyn.Author: TR
Cast & crew
Director: Wayne Wang, Paul Auster
Producer: Greg Johnson, Peter Newman
Cast: Harvey Keitel, Roseanne Barr, Michael J Fox, Lily Tomlin, Giancarlo Esposito, Mel Gorham, Jared Harris, Madonna, Mira Sorvino, Victor Argo, Lou Reed, Jim Jarmusch, RuPaul full cast
Duration: 89 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now