Have you read any reviews about Coffee and Cigarettes yet? If so, then this one won't say anything new – nothing shockingly groundbreaking, however I do think this film is worth seeing unlike many reviewers. Here's why:

1. If you're in any way remotely into seeing live theatre then you should give it a go. The basic gist of the film is a number of scenes with different actors, filmed over the past fifteen years or so. Some work, some don't, but they all do contain a nice element of improve, of uncertainty, and of not quite enough rehearsal time. Not all the folks in front of the camera are actors and it shows, oddly enough sometimes this works out, going along with that same vein of improv.

2. Seeing familiar actors stumble isn't pretty, and some fall flat on their faces here. However, it's only three scenes that fail completely, which means that there are plenty of solid moments in nearly every skit. While they may not work as a whole, they provide a decent webbing of moments that manage to hold the film together.

3. Even though it's trendy to say so – I really like Bill Murray. The skit that he gently lands in, later toddling off to seek oven cleaner, is well put together and genuinely funny. When you check out the film the stronger scenes will obviously be a personal preference, but the good ones stick out as the others fill up the space in between. My personal favourite was Cate Blanchett's scene in which she plays both herself and a down on her luck cousin.

Thus: check it out, I'd give the film a C/C+ rating, but it's worth the price of the ticket and certainly worth your time if you're remotely intrigued with any of the cast.—Kim Lesch

» Jim Jarmusch | USA | 2003