Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Coffee and Cigarettes Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 13, 2016

Jim Jarmusch's "Coffee and Cigarettes" (2003) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of independent distributors Olive Films. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film and an archival interview with Taylor Mead. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The conversation table

Even some of Jim Jarmusch’s biggest admirers will likely admit that Coffee and Cigarettes is not an easy film to like. The concept behind it is very interesting, but Jarmusch gives so much freedom to the people that step in front of his camera that at the end his unique touch is only occasionally detected.

The film does not have a conventional plot. It has eleven uneven segments that are united by a very simple theme -- various people engaging in a conversation while drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes. (There are a couple of exceptions where a few break the rule and order tea).

The coffee and cigarettes are basically a pretext for these people to open up and share how they feel about things that supposedly matter to them. At times there is an instant connection between them and a few even take off the masks that they have gotten used to wearing in public. There are also some very awkward ones where the connection never occurs and the entire meeting becomes one big embarrassment.

The conversations are so fluid that it is hard to believe that any of them were even partially scripted. Jarmusch and his camera are essentially treated as casual observers that are accidentally documenting them without fully realizing their significance. So, much like the strangers, each of the segments reveals a different personality.

The funniest segment features two Brits that humiliate each other in a quiet café somewhere in LA. Alfred Molina’s character arrives with a document that supposedly proves that he is related to a very cocky character played by Steve Coogan and they instantly engage in an odd conversation that completely reverses their chosen roles. There is also a very entertaining segment with Tom Waits and Iggy Pop in which the two very carefully erode their reputations while trying to look genuinely interested in their work. There is also a nice segment with Cate Blanchett who plays two cousins coming from two very different worlds.

There is quality material in this film but it comes in different forms and with different personalities. Frankly, it functions a bit like a blind date experiment where the viewer is given multiple opportunities to pick a stranger that might be worth spending some time with. It sounds intriguing, but just like in the real world some of these dates can be seriously underwhelming.

The cast also includes Roberto Benigni, Bill Murray, Steve Buscemi, Joseph Rigano, Vinny Vella, Alex Descas, and rappers RZA and The GZA, amongst others.

Jarmusch shot the film with multiple cinematographers: Robby Müller (Breaking the Waves), Tom DiCillo (Stranger Than Paradise), Ellen Kuras (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), and Frederick Elmes (Blue Velvet).

Coffee and Cigarettes Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Jim Jarmusch's Coffee and Cigarettes arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Olive Films.

The film looks quite good in high-definition. Obviously, because the various segments were shot over a substantial period of time and by different cinematographers there are some notable stylistic differences between them, but the basic technical characteristics that we typically scrutinize are fine. It appears that contrast and sharpness levels might have been slightly elevated, which is why there is some light crushing that sneaks in here and there, but there are no distracting anomalies to report. Grain has not been manipulated, though ideally it should appear better exposed and resolved. Image stability is very good. There are no debris, cuts, damage marks, stains, or other distracting age-related anomalies. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Coffee and Cigarettes Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional yellow English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

Depth and clarity remain consistently pleasing and there are absolutely no balance issues to report. I must say, however, that the entire film has an extremely simple organic design so you should not expect to hear any substantial surround/dynamic movement. There are no pops, cracks, audio dropouts, or digital distortions.

Coffee and Cigarettes Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - original trailer for Coffee and Cigarettes. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).

• Interview with Taylor Mead - presented here is an archival interview with actor Taylor Mead in which he recalls how he became involved with Coffee and Cigarettes and discusses his impressions of the final version of the film and Jim Jarmusch's working methods. In English, not subtitled. (5 min, 1080i).

Coffee and Cigarettes Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I think that it is safe to recommend Coffee and Cigarettes to long-time admirers of Jim Jarmusch's work, but casual viewers who might be interested in spending time with some of his colorful characters should look at his early films first. Stranger Than Paradise, Down by Law, Mystery Train and Night on Earth are all great starting points, and all of these films are actually available on lovely Blu-ray releases. RECOMMENDED.