A delightful, relaxing little film.

With Jim Jarmusch's film Mystery Train disappointing me to a relatively large extent, I almost immediately gave up hope on his work. Now I understand that his filmmaking technique is rather unique, obscure, similar to that of a Wes Anderson or David Lynch. They all go above and beyond Hollywood's mainstream material, forcing the viewers to really ponder what they had just watched, delving very deep into the human psyche, or maybe they just enjoy being obscure, I haven't a clue. Either way, like his work or hate his work, you will most likely end up respecting it, at least.

Coffee and Cigarettes is one of those pictures that don't come around too often, and catch viewers off guard. That sometimes seems too "different" for their liking, and quickly turn away from them, opting for something much easier to watch. The flick begins (and ends) with a multitude of restaurant meetings, often featuring some highly known movie stars. For movie-goers interested in a fast paced film filled with a lot of things going on, you most definitely should steer clear. The first story is one of my favorites. It shows one man waiting for another. Shortly thereafter, the other man arrives, and they begin a pretty hysterical, awkward conversation about numerous topics. My favorite type of comedy is dry, relaxed and awkward, so I was glued to the screen. The majority of actors present are indeed unknown faces. But there are some impressive appearances from the likes of Bill Murray, Steve Coogan, Alfred Molina, and Cate Blanchet. All in which do what they're supposed to, albeit not being required to do much.

There are a whole lot of mini conversations throughout "Coffee and Cigarettes", and that may bore some people, I understand that. I was able to find the wit and charm that was present within most of them, and it's a very easy movie to watch. Jim Jarmusch's black and white shooting technique seemed to work to a tee, really setting the perfect atmosphere within the various restaurants. The message behind this flick isn't a large one. In fact, it's rather small. That is if you consider life to be a miniscule thing, because that's what Jarmusch portrays here: the things that appear minute. Friendship, trust, human emotion, human behavior, and generally the low-key things that occur in everyday life. Look deeper into "Coffee and Cigarettes", and you'll be delighted at what you see.

6.8/10