Smoke (1995)
A quietly profound comedy-drama about storytelling, grief, and the unexpected bonds forged in a Brooklyn cigar shop.
Smoke - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1995
- Directed by: Wayne Wang, Paul Auster
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 9, 1995 (United States - R), April 17, 1996 (United Kingdom), October 19, 1995 (Germany - 12), December 13, 1995 (France), November 4, 1995 (South Korea - All)
- Production Companies: Miramax, NDF International, Eurospace
- Production Countries: Germany, Japan, United States of America
Smoke - Plot
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.
Smoke - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for this acclaimed 1995 drama below.
The most precious things are lighter than air.
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Smoke - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Wayne Wang
- Paul Auster
Main Cast
- Harvey Keitel
- William Hurt
- Stockard Channing
- Harold Perrineau
- Forest Whitaker
- Giancarlo Esposito
- José Zúñiga
- Stephen Gevedon
- Jared Harris
- Ashley Judd
Writers
- Paul Auster
Producers
- Peter Newman
- Hisami Kuroiwa
- Kenzo Horikoshi
- Greg Johnson
Smoke - FAQs
Where can you stream or watch Smoke (1995)?
Smoke (1995) is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It can also be streamed for free on Hoopla. Availability may vary by region, so check JustWatch for the most current options in your area.
Who are the main actors in Smoke?
Smoke features Harvey Keitel as cigar shop owner Auggie Wren, William Hurt as grieving writer Paul Benjamin, Stockard Channing as Ruby McNutt, Harold Perrineau as young drifter Rashid Cole, Forest Whitaker as Cyrus Cole, and Ashley Judd as Felicity, among others.
What is Smoke (1995) about?
Smoke is a character-driven drama set around a Brooklyn cigar shop. A grieving writer named Paul Benjamin befriends a young drifter called Rashid, while shop owner Auggie Wren discovers a woman who may be his daughter. The film weaves together their interconnected stories of loss, identity, and unexpected connection.
Is Smoke based on a true story?
Smoke is not based on a true story, but it originates from a real creative work. Screenwriter Paul Auster adapted the film from his own short story 'Auggie Wren's Christmas Story,' originally published in The New York Times in 1990. The characters and events are fictional, though rooted in Auster's literary sensibility.
Who directed Smoke and who wrote the screenplay?
Smoke was co-directed by Wayne Wang and novelist Paul Auster, who also wrote the screenplay. The collaboration between a literary author and a filmmaker known for intimate character studies gave the film its distinctive blend of storytelling warmth and urban realism.
What is the age rating and runtime of Smoke?
Smoke is rated R in the United States, making it suitable for adult audiences. The film runs for 112 minutes (1 hour and 52 minutes). The R rating reflects mature themes including grief, drug use, and adult language throughout the story.
What is the significance of Auggie's photo project in Smoke?
Auggie Wren has photographed the same Brooklyn street corner every day for years, creating a vast archive of ordinary moments. This project becomes a meditation on time, memory, and the value of paying close attention to everyday life — one of the film's most celebrated and philosophically resonant sequences.
What movies are similar to Smoke (1995)?
If you enjoyed Smoke, you might also like The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Sweet and Lowdown (1999), Thank You for Smoking (2005), Celebrity (1998), and The Wedding Banquet (1993). Blue in the Face (1995), a companion film shot immediately after Smoke with the same cast, is also highly recommended.
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