Review of Chinese Coffee (2000) by Pasha A — 31 Mar 2012

An enticing and unique film that didn't get recognition and the credit it deserved. Al Pacino in his second directorial feature proves to have some great cinematic capability in the director's seat.

Along with directing he stars as Harry Levine, a struggling writer desperate to get his work published. Jerry Orbach plays Jake, Harry's "friend" who purposely lies to Harry about reading his manuscript for his own selfish reasons.

This smaller film is great because of the while simple premise, shot as a one on one conversation that uniquely delved into each character's life through the use of some important flash backs to bring the story to life.

Pacino gives a great and dedicated performance as Harry, he showed his struggle, his passion, and ultimately the paranoia this man had in his daily life and will to be somebody. It is an interesting look at the struggling life of a poor writer but also much more the quality of friendship and what it means.

The film's writing itself and screenplay was excellent and something very unique about this was something I also felt watching a previous Pacino film (The Local Stigmatic), was it felt less like a film and more like a play made for the theatre which was the intention.

This film finally found life in the Pacino: An Actor's Vision set, a great set of film's that Pacino himself either produced or directed.