ROMANCE & CIGARETTES

"Please don't leave me"

Nick Murder (Gandolfini) has been found out. His wife Kitty (Sarandon) and his three daughters Rosebud (Turturro), Constance (Parker) and Baby (Moore) have discovered that he is having an illicit affair with lingerie sales girl Tula (Winslet). Even though he denies everything to them they know what he is doing but for Nick it is the first time he has felt this alive. But is he prepared to give up everything?

When John Turturro writes and directs a movie, indie film fans are bound to take notice but can his musical version of modern romance be as brilliant to watch as the actor usually is?

Over the years John Turturro has almost become a legend in independent film. While he has appeared in a few big budget, Hollywood blockbusters like 'Quiz Show', 'Collateral Damage', 'Mr. Deeds', 'Anger Management' and 'Secret Window', it is his indie film appearances that made him the renowned, character actor that film buffs adore. Who can forget his performances for the Coen Brothers in film like 'Miller's Crossing', 'Barton Fink', 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' and of course his performance as Jesus Quintana in the classic 'The Big Lebowski', as well has quintessential performances in 'Do the Right Thing', 'Mo' Better Blues' and 'The Luzhin Defence', John Turturro is an actor that is talented but can he become just as talented as a director?

While this isn't his first film as a writer and a director, this is his highest profile project yet. He has taken the male midlife crisis and added a new twist. His central character Nick Murder has grown distant from his marriage and his daughter as he becomes increasing ignored by the women in his life. He finds some solace in the arms of a beautiful lingerie sales woman called Tula but even though she is falling for him, he can never leave his wife Kitty because he is starting to remember why he loved his wife in the first place. This is commonplace in many an indie drama but what makes 'Romance & Cigarettes' different is that these characters break out into song.

Instead of gathering together a collection of talented musical theatre performers or actors who can sing, he has cast ones that you would never have thought of. In the lead role of Nick Murder he cast 'Sopranos' leading man James Gandolfini. Watching him break into song is a little strange at first but it does reveal how talented an actor he really is. Susan Sarandon can also belt out a tune and we all know that Mandy Moore can sing. Bobby Cannavale is hilarious as Fryburg. Christopher Walken sings and dances his way through his scenes and Kate Winslet can really ring as well as looking incredible.

'Romance & Cigarettes' is something very different from everyone involved and for the most part it works. It is the story that lets it down slightly as it could have done with more development in both plot and character. The mixture of modern and old songs however works and seeing these stars belt out a tune is well worth your time. Relationships are something to sing about.