Romance & Cigarettes
Directed by John Turturro (2006)
I’ve had this review in draft for a very long time. Perhaps because I find it extremely difficult to say that I really enjoyed a musical. There, I said it.
I hate musicals, in all their forms — and there’s no doubting that the narrative, along with Turturro’s direction, is a little uneven — but that couldn’t spoil a wonderfully enjoyable, affectionate, funny and riotous 105 minutes. Kate Winslet steals the show, having the time of her life as James Gandolfini’s wanton and foul-mouthed mistress Tula, and Steve Buscemi puts in a typically witty and acerbic performance as his workmate and confidant Angelo.
It’s unfair on Susan Sarandon and Gandolfini to single out their co-stars though, as they both do sterling jobs that are not by any means easy. It’s not a perfect movie, it certainly has it’s flaws, but it’s beautifully put together — a gem of a movie — that I would recommend wholeheartedly (even to those who dislike musicals).
