Review of Romance & Cigarettes (2005) by Heather C — 27 Feb 2010

This film is disjointed and flawed -- BUT -- totally worth watching for Elaine Stritch in the hospital scene; the riotous Susan Sarandon/Kate Winslet catfight to the strains of Springsteen's "Red-Headed Woman"; Kate Winslet's filthy mouth; Christopher Walken's seconds-long dance down the front-porch stairs, singing Tom Jones' "Delilah"; and every single scene stolen by Bobby Cannavale.

Directed by John Turturro and produced by the Coen Brothers, given the incredible cast -- including James Gandolfini, Steve Buscemi, Mary Louise Parker, Aida Turturro, and Eddie Izzard (as a gospel choir organist) -- I wanted and needed this to be better.

Destined to be a cult classic, though -- a weird amalgam of Rocky Horror, Hedwig, John Waters, and heart-warming dysfunctional family drama. Brilliant soundtrack!