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Good concept, poorly executed.

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This rambling drama looks at the intertwined stories of a group of New Yorkers, centered around a cigar shop. While it has its moments, the script is ridiculously contrived, a lackluster mixture of forced sentimentality and pretentious dialog. It is billed as a comedy, but there are no laughs to be had here. The relationships among the characters are not at all believable. There are also subplots, such as the one involving Keitel's ex-wife (Channing in a thankless role) and daughter (Judd in an early role), that are pointless. The acting is uneven, ranging from good (Keitel) to bad (Whitaker) to awful (some of the actors in small roles). Keitel is particularly good in relating a Christmas story.

In 'Smoke' writer Paul Auster and director Wayne Wang create a slice of life. The film is divided in chapters, each focussing on a different character. It isn't done randomly as all the down to earth characters are part of the story. 'Smoke' has a whimsical touch to it. It looks like a simplistic painting or a photograph that tells the story of one's daily life and their certain unique circumstances. The movie looks authentic. It does not have the typical Hollywood glossy feel to it. It's more like a walk down the lives of these simple yet wonderful characters. Harvey Keitel is terrific as the cigar store owner and amateur photographer. William Hurt is equally remarkable as a writer who hasn't published a novel since the demise of his wife. Harold Perrineau Jr. holds his own as the young Rashid Cole who forms a friendship with Hurt's Paul Benjamin and Keitel's Augie Wren. Forest Whitaker is excellent as Cole's hardworking father with one arm and Stockard Channing is great as Augie's former lover. The cinematography is simplistic and yet it works brilliantly and the soundtrack itself is another huge plus as it gives voice to the mood of the scene. The visuals of the city only add to the charm. Overall 'Smoke' is a charming slice of life and by the end it ends up bringing a smile to the viewer's face. We don't see the characters living happily ever after but we notice their growth and becoming better human beings.

I am taking a course at Athabasca University, and 'Smoke' is one of the movies. I was told the movie is about stories and how they shape and fade like smoke. There are 6 characters and each sub story intertwines with the other story creating the movie. Each story like the character Auggie's photography around his store tell of the progression of time. As each story unravels the viewer sees a flat character develop into a round character, with complexities and dualities. One sees the camera pan in to close ups as the viewer begins to know each character better. The message of the Christmas story is the thesis for movie. If the Christmas story is true or not or exaggerated the main theme of a good story is to be entertaining and bring joy to life. This film does such. Entertaining 6 or 7 out of 10 depending on what mood the viewers in. Bad mood a 6 and 7 in a good mood.

It is important to me because this wonderful film is filled with thought provoking dialogs, and a very good story, amazing cast, great characters, with wonderful depth of feelings.This movie is a slow paced film , this is a quiet film that works, and that works very well. The movie is a little slow at times you may think, and indeed it is, but it really hooks you in and keeps you watching. A brilliant flick that relies more on simple, character-driven plot than action and crash-boom-bang. SMOKE is not a real adventure, not a real drama, not a real comedy, not a real cops movie, and not a real action movie as well. It's about life. But in a real way, and surprisingly not boring. I have seen it many times and keep watching it because I love its celebration of the simple pleasures of life: friendships, good conversation and normal human relations. Smoke is not a complex or experimental film, just a beautiful and simple portrayal of humanity. Nothing more nothing less. This is an actors movie, and they all do an incredible job.Best bit for me : I especially love the Christmas sequence at the end where the film reaches a sublime conclusion in a tender Christmas story narrated by Keitel and supported by Tom Waits' haunting song "Innocent When You Dream". I love this bit. Makes me cry like a girl. So moving, so touching, so heartwarming, so bitter-sweet.Watch this movie, watch it carefully. It has great characters, a great script, played by a flawless cast, and no doubt it is beautifully directed. Beautiful, beautiful movie. Unmissable ! "Smoke" is/was truly one of the best movies of 90's. I would recommend this film to people of all ages. I'm impressed. You will be impressed. And, oh yes, the Christmas STORY at the end WILL MAKE YOU CRY !!