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| Movie Review: Romance and Cigarettes Alternate Title: Where There's Smoke There's Fire
Story: The musical is back and
director and writer John Turturro is helping to resurrect
this mostly lost art form to the cinema. Sadly this film has been sitting
on the shelves at MGM waiting for proper for distribution for two years.
Ultimately and good for all of us, Turturro decided to market and distribute
it himself. It is slowly eking itself out to the general public. If
you can find this film please get to see it. It is funny, heartfelt,
surprising and thoroughly entertaining. Middle aged, blue collar, Queens NY resident,
Nick Murder is having an affair with a young redhead. His wife finds
out. All hell breaks loose and most of it breaks out in song. Imagine
how much fun it is to watch Christopher Walken singing to Tom Jones'
Delilah, James Gandolfini singing along with Englebert Humperdinck's
A Man Without Love and Susan Sarandon singing along with Janis
Joplin's Take a Piece o' My Heart. The quirky film is about family, fidelity, love,
neighborhood and smoking. Acting: James Gandolfini as Nick
Murder is terrific. Susan Sarandon as the warring wife,
Kitty is in great form and is great. Kate Winslet
as Tula, the sexy redhead almost steals the film. She is absolutely
fabulous. Christopher Walken can do no wrong in a musical.
He is hilarious. Bobby Cannavale is one fine actor
and is always a treat to watch. Mary-Louise Parker, Mandy Moore
and Aida Turturro are the three hysterical
daughters. Steve Buscemi, Eddie Izzard and
Elaine Stritch all bring it on home. This cast had one heck
of a good time and it shows.
Predilection: I like quirky films that work.
Critters: Three dogs.
Food: Eggs, toast, cheese burgers and talk of pork
chops.
Sex Spectrum: Sex while singing is very funny.
Blatant Product Placement: Tropicana orange juice.
Soundtrack: Fabulous
Opening Titles: The opening sequence gets you perfectly
in the mood for the fun ride you are about to take.
Visual Art: The detail in the middle class house
in Queens is wonderful.
Theater Audience: Very crowded
Weather: We get to see the full range in a temperate
climate.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 5
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I was entertained throughout.
Predictability Level: Moderate.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: If the Academy had a sense of humor
we might see some nods.
Big Screen or Rental: If you can find it on the big
screen that is the way to go for sure. For some of my favorite Kate
Winslet films you can rent: Little Children, Finding Neverland,
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Iris, Quills, Holy Smoke, Sense
and Sensibility and the very wonderful Heavenly Creatures
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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