Smoke
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.
Critics Sentiment
Auggie tells Paul the Christmas story about the blind grandmother
Rashid ruins Auggie's Cuban cigars by allowing the sink to overflow
The film builds from the mundane cigar mishap to the transcendent father-son reconciliation, with sentiment jumping from 6.2 to 8.5.
Smoke builds steadily from its contemplative opening through emotionally resonant character revelations, with critics consistently praising the naturalistic performances and literary dialogue. The film peaks with both the father-son reconciliation and especially Auggie's final Christmas story, which reviewers describe as transcendent. Overall, critics appreciate the film's celebration of everyday humanity and interconnected lives, though some note occasional staginess in the quieter moments.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 27
Harvey Keitel
Augustus 'Auggie' Wren
William Hurt
Paul Benjamin
Stockard Channing
Ruby McNutt
Harold Perrineau
Thomas 'Rashid' Cole
Forest Whitaker
Cyrus Cole
Giancarlo Esposito
1st OTB Man / Tommy
José Zúñiga
2nd OTB Man / Jerry
Stephen Gevedon
OTB Man #3 / Dennis
Jared Harris
Jimmy Rose
Ashley Judd
Felicity
Victor Argo
Vinnie
Michelle Hurst
Aunt Em
Erica Gimpel
Doreen Cole
Deirdre O'Connell
Sue the Waitress
Malik Yoba
The Creeper
Murray Moston
Waiter
Mary B. Ward
April Lee the Bookstore Clerk
Daniel Auster
Book Thief
Vincenzo Amelia
Irate Customer
Gilson Reglas
Cyrus Jr.
Crew
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