Trees Lounge (1996)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Steve Buscemi

Writer:

Steve Buscemi (writer)

Release Date:

11 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

A story about one man's search... for who knows what

Plot:

Things aren't going so well for Tommy Basilio. He lost his job because he "borrowed" money from the register...

Plot Keywords:

Bar | Pregnant | Ice Cream Truck | Ex Girlfriend | Sequel

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Carol Kane	...	Connie
Mark Boone Junior	...	Mike
Steve Buscemi	...	Tommy
Bronson Dudley	...	Bill
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Rob (as Anthony Lapaglia)
Michael Buscemi	...	Raymond
Elizabeth Bracco	...	Theresa
John Ventimiglia	...	Johnny
Steven Randazzo	...	Vic
Suzanne Shepherd	...	Jackie
Rockets Redglare	...	Stan
Joe Lisi	...	Harry
Debi Mazar	...	Crystal
Eszter Balint	...	Marie
Richard Boes	...	Freddie

MPAA:

Rated R for plentiful strong language and some drug content.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:12 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Addis Wechsler Pictures

Trivia:

About 8 minutes in, just before Buscemi drives up to the garage where he has dialogue with a mechanic about his car's problem, he passes a parking lot. In the lot are three men walking together in the distance. They're dressed in Reservoir Dogs (1992) garb (black suits, white shirts, black tie); an homage to the film that put Buscemi on the map.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Tommy reminds Debbie to collect her bag when he is dropping her off, you can see a crew person in corner of screen as well as in the window reflection.

Quotes:

[about having another glass of whiskey]
Vic: You're a weak man.
Tommy: Yeah, I know. That's why I drink it straight. The ice cubes are too heavy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Poolhall Junkies (2002)

Soundtrack:

YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET

Buscemi Shines

The year was 1996. Steve Buscemi was on the up and up after establishing himself with his work in independent hits like "Fargo," "Reservoir Dogs" and mainstream hits like "Con Air." He started his career playing weasels, thieves and losers. He crafted some genuinely memorable, dare I say classic, performances playing desperate, low people skidding on the bottom of society's hierarchy.

Then he made a movie. In "Tree's Lounge," Buscemi cleverly uses his familiar role as the down and out bottom-feeder to create a character that effectively draws sympathy instead of parody. Buscemi's movie is about an ordinary loser, but it is told with such striking honesty that it becomes a poignant and absolutely original drama.

Recalling the poetry of Charles Bukowski and the music of Tom Waits, "Tree's Lounge" chronicles the misadventures of someone dwelling in the gallows of society. Buscemi's character Tommy plays a familiar archetype that exists in any town and any family - the stubborn child who always refuses to become a man. His arrested development seems too deeply progressed that any chance of redemption has faded in the past. Tommy isn't a bad guy, but his selfishness and immaturity put him at odds with the rest of the world. The story finds him at a crucial point in his life, where he may have one more opportunity to learn something valuable about living before it's too late. However, Buscemi makes no easy compromises and he smartly values honesty over sympathy. His portrayal of Tommy is truly skillful, because he allows enough subtlety to let the audience care about him and judge him at the same time.

I love "Tree's Lounge" because it tells its sad story with the passion and humor needed to let the audience truly understand its character. Tommy is the kind of guy who hurts everyone around him to the point where they eventually stop giving him opportunities to redeem himself. Chances are, everyone has someone like Tommy in their life who they give up on after awhile. What this movie explains is that some people are too selfish to ever learn the essential things about life, and therefore usually can't ever earn back the trust and loyalty of those they love.