Blue in the Face
Blue in the Face | |
---|---|
Promotional movie poster | |
Directed by |
Paul Auster Wayne Wang |
Written by |
Paul Auster Wayne Wang |
Starring | |
Music by | John Lurie |
Cinematography |
Adam Holender Harvey Wang |
Edited by |
Maysie Hoy Christopher Tellefsen |
Distributed by | Miramax Films |
Release dates | October 13, 1995 |
Running time | 89 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $2 million |
Box office | $1,268,636 |
Blue in the Face is a 1995 American comedy film directed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster. It stars Harvey Keitel, Victor Argo, Giancarlo Esposito, Roseanne Barr, Michael J. Fox, Lily Tomlin, Mira Sorvino, Lou Reed, Mel Gorham, Jim Jarmusch, and Malik Yoba.
Blue in the Face was filmed over a five-day period as a follow-up to Wang's 1995 movie Smoke. During production of Smoke, Keitel and the others ad-libbed scenes in-character between takes and a sequel was made using this improvised material.
Lily Tomlin was nominated for an American Comedy Award as "Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture" for her performance in this picture.
Blue in the Face features songs by singer Selena. The bilingual duet with David Byrne, "God's Child (Baila Conmigo)" is used as sound track.
Plot
The film once again centers on the Brooklyn Cigar Store and manager Auggie (Harvey Keitel), although most of the other characters are different. The store owner's frustrated wife Dot (Roseanne) is one of them, and one of the plotlines follows her attempts to seduce Auggie. Madonna, Michael J. Fox, Lily Tomlin, and Lou Reed (as himself) also put in appearances. Blue In The Face was shot without a complete script and presents a unique combination of distinctive performances, oddball characters, improvisations, and raffish scenes.
Cast
- Harvey Keitel... Augustus "Auggie" Wren
- Victor Argo... Vinnie
- Keith David... Jackie Robinson
- Giancarlo Esposito... Tommy Finelli
- Michael J. Fox... Pete Maloney
- Mel Gorham... Violet
- Jared Harris... Jimmy Rose
- Jim Jarmusch... Bob
- Madonna... Singing Telegram Girl
- Lou Reed... As Himself
- Roseanne Barr... Dot
- Mira Sorvino... Young Lady
- Lily Tomlin... Waffle Eater
- Malik Yoba... Watch Man
- Rupaul... Dance Leader
- Selena... Sound Track
Reception
The movie received mixed reviews.[1][2][3]
References
- ↑ Thomas, Kevin (13 October 1995). "MOVIE REVIEW : Wang's 'Blue in the Face' a Valentine to Brooklyn". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ↑ Maslin, Janet (13 October 1995). "Blue in the Face (1995) FILM REVIEW; In Hip Brooklyn, Take 2 On That Old Cigar Store". New York Times. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ↑ Ebert, Roger (20 October 1995). "Blue In The Face". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
External links
- Blue in the Face at the Internet Movie Database
- Blue in the Face at AllMovie
- Blue in the Face at Box Office Mojo
- Blue in the Face at Rotten Tomatoes
- FilmCritic.com review