Blue in the Face (1995)

43% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(4,625 ratings)

Director Wayne Wang and screenwriter Paul Auster had enough storylines and characters left over from their charming comedy Smoke to make another film, so they shot Blue In The Face immediately after Smoke was completed. The film once again centers on the Brooklyn Cigar Store and manager Auggie… More Director Wayne Wang and screenwriter Paul Auster had enough storylines and characters left over from their charming comedy Smoke to make another film, so they shot Blue In The Face immediately after Smoke was completed. 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. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Paul Auster, Wayne Wang
Genres: Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 13, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Mar 4, 2003
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A freewheeling offshoot of the good indie Smoke
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Not as good a smoke as the first, but worth a puff.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
"Smoke" follow-up lacks the first flick's spark and humor.
Larry Carroll, Countingdown.com
Improvisational film which was made as a companion piece to the far-superior "Smoke". This movie has some good parts to it, but is too disjointed to hold your attention.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Considering its made from outtakes and unused script from the first film, this 'sequel' stands up very well on its own. Its far more philosophical and irrelevant than the first, and is equally laid back, its only diminishing feature are the constant and unnecessary cameos,… More
Considering its made from outtakes and unused script from the first film, this 'sequel' stands up very well on its own. Its far more philosophical and irrelevant than the first, and is equally laid back, its only diminishing feature are the constant and unnecessary cameos, although half of them are rather good. Definitely worth checking out after watching Smoke.
Christopher B

Unjustly criticized film made from outtakes from the superior Smoke. I think too many critics compared it to that film rather than on it's own merits, but I absolutely loved the slice of life feeling of this film. Really good stuff.
Anthony V

Parts are fun, but unscripted actors can only take things so far.
Sarah P

The humor in the movie was mostly subtle which worked really well. I honestly just bought the movie because Madonna makes a 2-minute appearance, but I actually liked it a lot!

Cast

            Harvey Keitel as Auggie Wren

            Lou Reed as Man with Strange Glasses

            Roseanne as Cigar Store Owner's Wife

            Michael J. Fox as Peter

            Jim Jarmusch as Bob

            Lily Tomlin as The waffle eater

            Victor Argo as Vinnie

            Michael Badalucco as Statistician

            Teodorino Bello as Statistician

            Keith David as Jackie Robinson

            Giancarlo Esposito as Tommy

            Esteban Fernandez as Dancer

            Eileen Galindo as Dancer

            Mel Gorham as Violet

            Peggy Gormley
            
            Jared Harris as Jimmy Rose

            Karen Robert Jackson as Brooklyn Resident

            Ahmed Ben Larby as Statistician

            William Preston Robertson as Statistician

            Raymond Rodriguez as Dancer

            Malik Yoba as The Watch Man

            James Dickson as Dancer

            Madonna as Singing Telegram Girl

            Michelle Hurst as Statistician

            Mira Sorvino as The young lady

            Sharif Rashed
            
            Lisa Scarola as Dancer

            Jose Zuniga as Jerry

            RuPaul as Dancer

            Debra Wilson as Statistician

            Stephen Gevedon
            
            Charles LaSalle as Dancer

            Chelsea Altman as Statistician

            Luc Sante as Brooklyn Resident

            Chief Bey as Brooklyn Resident

            Diana Brownstone as Dancer

            Billy Cherry as Statistician

            Liz Anne Curtis as Dancer

            Rehanna Ellis as Statistician/Dancer

            Ian Frazier as Brooklyn Resident

            Sasalina Gambino as Brooklyn Resident

            Cotton Green as Dancer

            Tatienne Hendricks-Tellefsen
            
            Edmund Ikeda as Statistician

            John Lurie National Orchestra
            
            Rusty Kanokoci as Brooklyn Resident

            Nick Kosovich as Dancer

            Kyle Larson as Dancer

            Gregory Misclagno as Dancer

            Liz Ramos as Dancer

            Dale Stotts as Dancer

            Ginger Thatcher as Dancer
See full cast