This Steve Buschemi's debut as writer and director. Made in 1996 it is a relatively unknown film but was a critcal if not commercial succes for Buschemi
The film is about an alcoholic named Tommy (Steve Bushemi), the film starts and he is trying to wangle one more drink out of the barmaid 15 minutes after 'time'. The barmaid Connie(played by Carol Kane - Hester Street, Taxi) is obviously familiar and serves him with Tommy, which is an interesting tenet to the film as everyone knows everyone in this small suburb and everyone knows Tommy and he seems to recoil from it in shame. The bar 'Trees Lounge' is always populated by Tommy, an elderly alcoholic Bobby and another successful alcoholic Mike (Mark Boone Junior - Batman Begins, Lonesome Jim) Tommy starts to form a friendship with Mike thinks he is a looser. Mike is a strange character as he is a very successful man with a family and a thriving business. There is no reason for his depression and alcoholism given.
The story mostly takes part in the bar and revolves around Tommy's depression. His girlfirend of 8 years has broken up with him a while back and is now starting a family with his ex-best friend. Tommy can't get adjusted to this and still hangs around to check up on them. He is a complete failure, he has no job, he lives in a small flat above his favourite pub (handy if you're an alcoholic) and he has no friends. He searches for companionship and meaning to his life throughout the film. He tries to get with various women but is largely unsuccessful until an old friend's 17 year-old daughter comes along played by Chloe Sevigny.
My Opinion
This isn't a thrilling film, it is rather slow paced and melancholy but I really liked it. Buschemi really has created a world in the film. It has a vast collection of characters who all interact in various ways and all of whom have individual parts to play. Buschemi plays the role of Tommy excellently, a very talented actor given the chance (you have to admit alot of the roles he usually gets are very same-ish: Garland Greene, Mr. Pink, guy from Armageddon). The directing portrays a rather bleak out look on life best summed up by Samuel L. Jackson's character in the film. No-one is truely happy, several people have just fallen into alcoholism and depression looking back at lwhat ife once was. It seems to be deliberating on the loss of youth, the children are the only happy ones in the film and it is only through young Debbie that Buschemi finds any sort of happiness. The ending when taking in contrast with the very similar beginning conveys a real feeling of hopelessness, it really is no feel-good-film. Excellent directing by Buschemi and excellent acting by everyone within the film. I recommend it to anyone who liked Lost in Translation the only film I can really compare it with. This film is not a comedy.
The film has an immense cast
Tommy - Steve Buschemi of Resevoir Dogs, Sopranos, Grey Zone. Connie - Carol King of Hester Street and Taxi Debbie - Chloe Sevigny of Boys Don't Cry and American Psyhco Uncle Al - Seymour Cassel of Faces and Animal Factory Jerry - Danny Baldwin, one of the baldwin brothers Tommy's brother - Steve Buschemi's brother Mike of Lonesome Jim Samuel L. Jackson also has a small part Larry Gilliard from The Wire also has a small part Michael Imperiolli who wrote episodes of the Sopranos and starred as Christopher in the Sopranos has a small part The guy who plays Artty Bucco (the chef) in the Sopranos also has a small role. There are various other famous actors and actresses making short appearences
You can find a trailer for the film here: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/136352/Trees-Lounge/trailers
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Mr. Pink makes a movie! Steve Buscemi writes, directs and stars as Tommy Basilio, a ... more
thirtysomething dreamer who has made himself at home amongst the regulars of the Trees Lounge Bar.It is summer in the suburbs and Tommy is out of work. Worse still, the...
![Trees Lounge [DVD] [1997]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78535981.jpg "Trees Lounge [DVD] [1997]")
Jun 4th, 2008
very helpful by (100%):
