Smoke

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Smoke

R,

1995,

1h 52m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

89%

35 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Writer Paul Benjamin (William Hurt) is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's (Harvey Keitel) smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole (Harold Perrineau Jr.) 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 (Forest Whitaker) and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.

Critics Consensus

Smoke draws in a stellar ensemble, holds the audience's attention with a robust blend of connected stories, and sends viewers out on a pleasurable high.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Mar 29, 2024

3.5/4

Easily one of the most inventive and original films of the year.

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Manohla Dargis

Spin

Dec 27, 2022

It's smooth where it should be ragged, soft where it should be tough. And while that makes for charm, it doesn't much make for honesty.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Jun 7, 2022

1/4

It’s quite possible that I’d like Smoke a little more if Harvey and Bob and their cheering section liked it a little less.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 9, 2025

3.5/4

A work with considerable staying power.

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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Sep 23, 2023

[Paul] Auster’s contemplative, dialogue-driven screenplay — along with the film’s unhurried editing and luxuriating cinematography — make Smoke a gorgeous example of the art of savoring, which is exactly what you want to do with this wonderful movie.

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Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

Apr 25, 2022

A curious and interesting picture.

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Finn P

Sep 17, 2007

The action is talky and philosophical but in sweet celebration of everyman going nowhere. A showcase for Wang's greatest strengths as a film maker: a chance to explore friendships, connections and random serendipities. The delight of the movie is Keitel, who finally gets to play someone who doesn't look like he's about to mug you.

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Wayne Wang

Director

John Landis

Director

William Hurt

Paul Benjamin

Harvey Keitel

Augustus 'Auggie' Wren

Harold Perrineau

Thomas 'Rashid' Cole

Forest Whitaker

Cyrus Cole

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Synopsis

Writer Paul Benjamin (William Hurt) is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's (Harvey Keitel) smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole (Harold Perrineau Jr.) 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 (Forest Whitaker) and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.

Director: Wayne Wang, John Landis
Producer: Robert K. Weiss
Screenwriter: Paul Auster
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 1995, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.3M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround

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