200 Cigarettesis a 1999 Americancomedy filmdirected by Risa Bramon Garcia and written by Shana Larsen. The film follows multiple characters in New York City onNew Year's Eve1981. The film features anensemble castconsisting of brothersBenandCasey Affleck,Dave Chappelle,Guillermo Díaz,Angela Featherstone,Janeane Garofalo,Gaby Hoffmann,Kate Hudson,Courtney Love,Jay Mohr,Nicole Ari Parker,Martha Plimpton,Christina RicciandPaul Rudd,with a cameo byElvis Costello,as well as paintings bySally Davies.
| 200 Cigarettes | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Risa Bramon Garcia |
| Written by | Shana Larsen |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Frank Prinzi |
| Edited by | Lisa Zeno Churgin |
| Music by | |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $6 million[1] |
| Box office | $6.9 million[1] |
Plot
editThe film follows various plot arcs all occurring onNew Year's Eveof 1981. Monica is throwing a big party and is desperately afraid no one will attend. Early on, the only arrival is her friend Hillary. As Monica tries to convince Hillary to stay, various other groupings are shown making their way to the celebration.
The plot follows these several characters as they spend New Year's Eve inNew York Citybefore eventually turning up at Monica's party. The party guests are:
- Monica's cousin Val and her friend Stephie, who are fromRonkonkomaand who get lost in the seedyAlphabet Citysection of the borough and wander into apunkclub where they meet Dave and Tom, who have a "package" they need to deliver.
- Ditsy and awkward Cindy, who is on a dinner date with the paranoid Jack.
- Lucy and her best friend Kevin, who are struggling with their mutual sexual tension. The film's title stems from the carton of cigarettes Lucy buys Kevin that night, a present on a holiday he loathes, which is also his birthday.
- Kevin'sfeministex-girlfriend Ellie, who walks in on Kevin and Lucy making out in a restroom stall
- A dim-witted and flirtatious bartender.
- Competitive friends Bridget and Caitlyn who attempt to ditch Bridget's boyfriend Eric, who is also Monica's ex.
- And an eccentric cab driver who takes them all around town throughout the evening in his disco-themed taxi.
Eventually, everyone finds their way to the party, although Monica has passed out after drowning her sorrows in alcohol. She wakes the next morning to find unrecognizable people on her floor, including Stephie, who tells her what a big hit her party was. Monica is thrilled, even though she missed it all, especially when she finds out thatElvis Costelloshowed up.
The final montage showsPolaroidsof the party, narrated by the disco cabbie, mostly featuring the unlikely romances from the night and the unconscious Monica being propped up by her guests.
Cast
edit- Ben Affleckas Bartender
- Casey Affleckas Tom
- Caleb Carras Cynical Bar Patron
- Dave Chappelleas Disco Cabbie
- Elvis Costelloas himself
- Guillermo Díazas Dave
- Angela Featherstoneas Caitlyn
- Janeane Garofaloas Ellie
- Gaby Hoffmannas Stephie
- Kate Hudsonas Cindy
- Catherine Kellneras Hillary
- Courtney Loveas Lucy
- Brian McCardieas Eric
- Jay Mohras Jack
- Nicole Ari Parkeras Bridget
- Martha Plimptonas Monica
- Christina Riccias Val
- Paul Ruddas Kevin
Release
editThe film received generally negative reviews[2]and grossed $6.8 million[1]in the United States.
OnRotten Tomatoes,the film has an "rotten" approval rating of 30% based on 63 reviews, with an average rating of 4.4/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "[a] clumsy and scattered comedy with a poorly executed script".[3]OnMetacritic,the film has a score of 33 out of 100 based on reviews from 26 critics, indicating "Generally unfavorable reviews".[2]
Todd McCarthyofVarietycalled the film "dismally unfunny" and questions "if any director could have surmounted the script's limitations" and of the acting performances he says "only Garofalo and Ben Affleck manage to project any wit that cracks through the prevailing humorlessness."[4]
Mick LaSalle of theSan Francisco Chroniclegave it a positive review, saying "200 Cigarettesdoesn't have a bad scene or a false note. The picture is a succession of pointed little moments, nicely written by Shana Larsen and acted with comic assurance and sensitivity. "[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abc"200 Cigarettes".Box Office Mojo.
- ^ab"200 Cigarettes".Metacritic.
- ^"200 Cigarettes".Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^McCarthy, Todd (February 26, 1999)."200 Cigarettes".Variety.
- ^LaSalle, Mick (February 26, 1999)."'Cigarettes' a Smoking Tale of '80s Partyers / Ricci, Rudd, Love get the parts just right ".SFGATE.
External links
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