3/4 of a masterpiece- some scenes sparkle with laughs and interest, some don't, still worth it

Rating: 9/10 (7 June 2004)

Jim Jarmusch's latest film, Coffee and Cigarettes, plays like one of those albums by a band you really like, even though some tracks disappoint or overshadow others. I lost count by the time the film finished as to how many vignettes there were, with cups being filled and sipped and factory-made and hand-rolled cigs being put out one after another. But from what I saw, I could tell that the film's greatest asset was that each vignette carried a quirky, unique quality to it. There's something about the way Jarmusch writes dialog (unless some of this was improvised, which is a good guess from Benigni/Wright's scene and Waits/Pop's scene) and uses authentic B&W film stock that creates such a mood that's in-escapable. Love, like, or hate the film, Jarmusch is a pro at his own brand of film-making.
Among the highlights, at least for me, were the RZA/GZA & Mill Murray vignette 'Delirium'; The Lee twins with Steve Buscemi in a Memphis diner; both of the Cousin's vignettes (though, personally, Molina just slightly ruled over Blanchett's great double-turn); Benigni/Wright and Waits/Pop were very strong. The other ones varied from being so-so (i.e. the White's vignette) to downright boring (or perhaps not so much as boring as pointless). The running theme keeps every vignette interesting, even when certain laughs don't work and the people, celebrities or not, are left wondering what they're doing there. So, Coffee and Cigarettes is a watchable little independent treat, though one almost wishes there was one more outstanding vignette to attach on.