200 Cigarettes (1999)

Director:

Risa Bramon Garcia

Writer (WGA):

Shana Larsen (written by)

Release Date:

26 February 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

It's 11:59 on New Year's Eve. Do you know where your date is?

Plot:

A collection of twentysomethings try to cope with relationships, loneliness, desire and their individual neuroses.

Plot Keywords:

Party | Bartender | Cab Driver | Licking | 8 Track

Cast

Ben Affleck	...	Bartender
Casey Affleck	...	Tom
Jennifer Albano	...	Cheryl
Jenni Blong	...	Cheryl's Friend (as Jenny Blong)
Morgan Brown	...	French Rocker
Caleb Carr	...	Cynical Bar Patron
Dave Chappelle	...	Disco Cabbie
Elvis Costello	...	Himself
Guillermo Díaz	...	Dave (as Guillermo Diaz)
Angela Featherstone	...	Caitlyn
Patrick Frederic	...	Tiki Sobbing Man
Janeane Garofalo	...	Ellie
Gaby Hoffmann	...	Stephie
Kate Hudson	...	Cindy
David Johansen	...	Tiki Bartender

Also Known As:

The Islander (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language and sexual content.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | USA:R (Certificate #36367) | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Germany:12 | Iceland:L | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Spain:18 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Dogstar Films

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Although apparently set on New Year's Eve 1981, numerous automobile designs that were introduced well after 1981 are visible in various shots.

Quotes:

Monica: Throwing a party it's like... it's like an invitation for abuse. It's like the last desperate act of someone who hasn't had a lasting relationship since Junior High.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (1999-03-06)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Love Is the Drug

A truly fabulous film.

New York, New Years Eve, 1981. Everybody's out to have a party, no matter how mixed up they may be. 1982 is going to be seen in with style. Well, so they hope. Monica is hysterical. She's decided to throw a New Years Eve party to end all parties, and nobody is showing up. Her friend Hillary is there for moral support, but is getting a little tired of her complaining. All her guests have other priorities right now. Kevin is getting over his relationship with Ellie and piling his emotional baggage on Lucy, who's frankly had enough of it. Val and Stephie are stepping out in New York to meet some musicians, but Val has other ideas and Stephie is constantly whining. Matters aren't helped when they're being followed by two guys, who seem dangerous, yet are anything but. Bridget and Caitlyn are on the lookout for dates before midnight, in fear of being cursed and ending up dateless for the rest of the year. Bridget's had enough of Eric, an abstract painter whose talents in bed don't necessarily match up to his art. Cindy is a liability on legs, but possibly the sweetest person in New York, and has to put up with womanising Jack, who is thrilled when he discovers that he was Cindy's first sexual partner. To top it off, a hip cab driver is transporting them all around, dispensing his own brand of worldly wisdom to a funk soundtrack, and is looking for a little booty of his own.

200 Cigarettes is probably one of the best films that I've seen in a long time. It's hilarious, outrageous, and boasts one of the best casts a film could ever wish for. Each performer is excellent and has been in their various other projects, but I couldn't imagine them in any other roles after seeing this. They're just fantastic. They all deserve praise, but honours definitely go to Martha Plimpton and Gaby Hoffman. Plimpton's Monica is so wretchedly pitiful you can't help but laugh uncontrollably at her. As for Hoffman, I just fell in love with Stephie, a girl whose bitching and moaning is deliciously appealing. Others who make an impression include Kate Hudson's delightfully ditzy Cindy, Courtney Love, who is great as free spirited Lucy, and Dave Chappelle as the very cool cab driver. I'd love to get a ride in a cab as funky as that. I was also very impressed by Christina Ricci, Nicole Parker and Angela Featherstone, but the entire cast is faultless. I love revisiting 200 Cigarettes time and again, it's too enjoyable not to. A stylish, vibrant, entertaining film that's undoubtedly perfect. Excellent viewing.