COFFEE AND CIGARETTES

US, 2003, 96 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Jim Jarmusch.

Coffee and cigarettes are acquired tastes. This film is an acquired taste. Coffee and cigarettes are addictive. This film is not quite so addictive. In fact, it is a mixum-gatherum of vignettes, little episodes where actors have conversations over coffee and cigarettes – and something of a relief when, in one of the longer stories, Brits Alfred Molina and Steve Coogan, have cups of tea.

Director, Jim Jarmusch, is well-noted for idiosyncratic films, more personalised films that tell offbeat stories (Stranger than Paradise, Night on Earth, Dead Man, Ghost Dog). He started to film these conversations in 1986, one with Roberto Benigni and Steven Wright, when he was making Down By Law. He continued during the 1990s and added some specifically in recent years because he wanted to work with the actors. This is the case with two of the best episodes. Cate Blanchett as herself (or her Public Relations image self) has a coffee and cigarettes meeting with her cousin from Sydney. Cate Blanchett can immerse herself in any role and she plays the cousin in black wig, daggy clothes and flat accent. We have the opportunity of seeing her act with herself, but they still seem like two quite different actresses. The other one is the Molina-Coogan? story which mocks Hollywood and celebrity.

There are other stories with Bill Murray, Spike Lee’s brother and sister, Cinque and Joie and Jarmusch regular, Tom Waites, comparing reputations with Iggy Pop.

Coffee and cigarettes is principally for Jarmusch fans, a chance to check his oddball perspectives and sense of humour.

1.The work of Jim Jarmusch, individualism, style, topics, minimalist treatment? Love for contemporary music?

2.The black and white photography, the different directors of photography over the decades, the range of musical score, songs?

3.The topic, the political correctness about cigarettes and coffee, each of the character’s attitudes, the cups of coffee, the overhead shots, the smoking? The comment on health issues? The British stars drinking tea? Arguments pro and con, health?

4.The different times that the films were made, the range of casts, those who worked with Jarmusch, the actors that he wanted to work with?

5.The brevity of the film, the brevity of the episodes? A cumulative effect? Coffee and cigarettes sufficient linking? Their being vignettes – or, as one reviewer suggested, visual doodles?

6.The comment on each of the episodes:

Strange to Meet You
Roberto Benigni, Steven Wright.

The conversation, the characters, their appearances, the comments and their not following – Wright with a headache, Benigni and his eagerness, the issue of the dental appointment – and the request for Benigni to go in Wright’s place, Benigni going?


Twins

Cinque Lee, Joie Lee, Steve Buscemi.

The twins, their arguing, theories about twins, the waiter and his questions, the replacement of Elvis Presley by his own twin brother, the twins affirming or denying their likeness?


Somewhere in California

Iggy Pop, Tom Waites.

The discussion, having given up cigarettes, smoking again, cups of coffee, their singing careers, the music playing in the jukebox, Iggy Pop and his self-assertion, Tom Waites and his final riposte(?) that Iggy Pop wasn't playing in the jukebox either?


Those Things’ll Kill Ya

Joe Rigano, Vinnie Vella, Vinnie Vella Jnr.

The discussion between father and son, the merits of coffee and cigarettes, the cousin?


Renee

Renee French, E.G. Rodriguez.

The woman, the café, the waiter, her not drinking the cups of coffee?


No Problem

Alex Descas, Isaach de Bankole.

Isaach, the discussion with Alex, their friendship over the years, expecting bad news, Alex saying there was nothing wrong? Their musical background? Comedy routines, the sparring in the conversation?


Cousins

Cate Blanchett.

Cate Blanchett as herself, the movie star, dress, hair, manner of sitting, speaking? Her cousin Shelley turning up from Sydney, Shelley and her hair, her clothes, Aussie accent, bitterness at Cate’s lifestyle? The interaction between the two, Cate trying to be placatory, Shelley trying to be nice but still bitter? Coffee, cigarettes? The discussion about Cate Blanchett’s life and being a celebrity? Shelley, her music, having missed out on things? The tour-de-force with Cate Blanchett acting both parts?


Jack Shows Meg His Tesla Coil

Jack White, Meg White.

Jack and Meg, in the café, the discussion about the scientific work of Nikola Tesla? The background of their being in the band, White Stripes? His replica of the coil, getting it to function, the discussion about the malfunction, Meg and her sudden ability in knowing how to fix it?


Cousins

Alfred Molina, Steve Coogan.

The conversation between Molina and Coogan, Molina as the underdog, as himself, explaining his life in Hollywood, his career, his admiration for Coogan? Coogan and his coming to Hollywood, the British star, his being aloof? The ironies in the discussion? The superiority vs the inferiority? The cup of tea instead of coffee? The irony of the conversation, Molina proving with the family tree that they are related? His asking for Coogan’s number, Coogan reluctant? Molina getting the phone call, the celebrity, Coogan changing his mind – and Molina then refusing?


Delirium

G.Z.A. and R.Z.A., Bill Murray.

The background of the group Wu-Tang? Clan, the diner, Bill Murray as the waiter, his wanting them to keep his identity a secret, the discussions about his films, the references to Ghostbusters? His smoking, drinking? The bad effects of coffee and cigarettes?


Champagne

Taylor Mead, Bill Rice.

Bill and Taylor, imagining that their coffee is champagne, listening to Mahler in their imaginations? Their talks about show business, their lives, getting old?