Synopsis
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.
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Cast
- 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
Recommendations
- 100
Rolling Stone
A sharply observant and witty film that plumbs unexpected depths of feeling. - 88
ReelViews
Each conversation has at least one memorable line, and it's always delivered in such a casual manner that it blends right in. - 78
Austin Chronicle
Knockout ensemble performances like these don't come around all that often, though, and when they do they ought to be savored. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
A beguiling film about words, secrets and tobacco. - 75
Christian Science Monitor
The action is talky and philosophical but in sweet celebration of everyman going nowhere. - 75
Entertainment Weekly
The best vignette, at the very end of the film, is the story Auster originally wrote for a newspaper as a Christmas piece, the one that inspired Wang to make Smoke in the first place. It's the one you'll want to inhale. - 75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
A film of deceptive narrative wisps and intricate thematic curls. - 75
San Francisco Chronicle
A showcase for Wang's greatest strengths as a film maker: a chance to explore friendships, connections and random serendipities.
