Jim Jarmusch directs a series of vignettes

Rating: 6/10 (15 April 2012)

I run hot and cold with Jim Jarmusch. His "Stranger than Paradise" is a fantastic movie - he has a quirky sense of humor that I love, and also much of "Mystery Train" is wonderful. I liked some of "Coffee and Cigarettes" and some I just didn't.
This is a series of vignettes revolving around - well, coffee and cigarettes. My favorite was "Twins" which, besides being a funny segment, has a hilarious performance by Steve Buscemi. "Those Things'll Kill Ya" is also amusing, though it goes on a little long. "Strange to Meet You" stars Robert Begnini and was the first of these vignettes, filmed in 1986, and it's fun - strange, but fun.
"Cousins" stars the chameleon Cate Blanchett as a well-known personality who visits with her not famous and jealous cousin, also played by Cate Blanchett. This was an interesting personality study of both women, the famous one very sweet and shy, and the not famous one more out there and vocal. It's a real tour de force.
Jarmusch really goes back to his student film roots here, with the black and white, simple, low class sets, and his subtle humor. For me some of the vignettes just seemed to have no point, but I think that was the point. Life discussed or happening over coffee and cigarettes can sometimes be crazy, absurd, fun -- or just ordinary.
There were several posters here who claim not to know Jarmusch's work. I highly recommend both Stranger than Paradise and Mystery Train.