Smoke
Seen it?1995 | 112 min | Comedy, Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 5 times its budget. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved After Hours or The Royal Tenenbaums, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 52 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
Writer Paul Benjamin is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole saves his life, and soon middle-aged Paul tells homeless Rashid that he wouldn't mind a short-term housemate. Still grieving over his wife's murder, Paul is moved by both Rashid's quest to reconnect with his father and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Won 1 Berlin award: Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize. Plus 2 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$38 million worldwide on a $7 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 66K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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After Hours
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Sunday Safe BetAnother dramedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Deconstructing Harry
Weeknight WatchAnother dramedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The Royal Tenenbaums Saturday SpecialAnother dramedy, and a Saturday Special.
Following Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Wayne Wang
- Harvey KeitelAugustus 'Auggie' Wren
- William HurtPaul Benjamin
- Stockard ChanningRuby McNutt
- Harold PerrineauThomas 'Rashid' Cole
- Forest WhitakerCyrus Cole
- Giancarlo Esposito1st OTB Man / Tommy
- José Zúñiga2nd OTB Man / Jerry
- Stephen GevedonOTB Man #3 / Dennis
- Jared HarrisJimmy Rose
- Ashley JuddFelicity