Review of Trees Lounge (1996) by Stephen E — 12 Nov 2011

Steve Buscemi's dramedy Trees Lounge is a fine debut; a debut which he wrote, directed, and starred in.

It deals with Tommy, a loser that just can't seem to get anything together. He spends most of his time down at the local bar, Trees Lounge, where a select few of people do the same as him, wasting their entire days at the bar. There's even an alcoholic named Bill who visits the bar so often that he even has his own seat.

Basically, Trees Lounge is a showcase for Buscemi. He does a wonderful job as Tommy and the writing is fantastic. Now, that's what really impressed me. The writing is gloriously aware of its subject matter and it treats its character as real people, which they are. There's a group of barflies like this in every bar in every town---- at least, the smaller ones, that is.

And on top of all of that, it's very funny. Granted, it does take a more serious turn towards the latter half of it, but for the most part, I was laughing. And out loud, too.