Episode 87: Smoke (1995)

I revisit Smoke (1995), Wayne Wang’s beautifully understated character drama written by Paul Auster.

Built around a Brooklyn cigar shop and the lives of the people who pass through it, the film is less about plot and more about memory, connection and the stories people tell each other. Harvey Keitel gives one of his warmest performances as Auggie Wren, while William Hurt is outstanding as a grieving writer who slowly reconnects with the world around him.

Featuring a wonderful supporting cast, a memorable Tom Waits appearance, and some of the most authentic-feeling characters you’ll find in 90s cinema, Smoke is a film that has only grown stronger for me over time.

A true hidden gem that rewards every rewatch.