Cast: Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, David Chappelle, Guillermo Díaz, Angela Featherstone, Janeane Garofalo, Gaby Hoffmann, Kate Hudson, Courtney Love, Brian McCardie, Jay Mohr, Martha Plimpton, Christina Ricci, Paul Rudd
Director: Risa Bramon Garcia
Producers: Betsy Beers, David Gale, Van Toffler
Screenplay: Shana Larsen
Cinematography: Frank Prinzi
Music: Bob & Mark Mothersbaugh
U.S. Distributor: Paramount Pictures
The first question I asked myself at the end of 200 Cigarettes was how such a talented group of actors could create such a lifeless motion picture. This is a loaded cast, a virtual "who's who" of the Generation X scene. Yet, despite all of the charisma and ability on screen, 200 Cigarettes is a tepid affair, distinguished by bland character development, uninspired and insipid dialogue, and a nonexistent plot. Admittedly, it is sporadically amusing, but there aren't enough jokes to earn the film even a lukewarm recommendation.
One could make the argument that the movie is just a vehicle to sell the soundtrack, which is overcrowded with early '80s tunes. For some unknown reason, director Risa Bramon Garcia (making her debut in this capacity after a successful career as a casting director) and screenwriter Shana Larsen elected to set the film on New Year's Eve, 1981 when it could have as easily been set on New Year's Eve, 1999. Garcia overdoes the pop cultural references, letting the camera linger on them a little too obviously (these include records, 8-track tapes, and bizarre clothes). Dumping this film in 1981/82 has an unnecessary and gratuitous feel, but it will probably sell more CDs.
Story-wise, not much is going on. 200 Cigarettes is basically about a group of people in their late-teens and twenties who are on their way to the same New York City New Year's Eve party. Some of them fall in love, some of them break up, and some of them just get drunk and/or have sex. It's hard to keep track of what's going on - there are far too many characters and minor plot threads, even for an ensemble piece. It's also difficult to get to know anyone; no individual is on screen long enough to determine whether or not they possess an interesting personality. The only ones with more than token exposure are Monica (Martha Plimpton), the girl giving the party; Kevin (Paul Rudd), a morose loser who's not enjoying his birthday; and Lucy (Courtney Love), Kevin's best friend and would-be sex partner. Everyone else - Christina Ricci and Gaby Hoffman (as teen party girls out for a wild time), Janeane Garofalo (as Kevin's ex), Ben Affleck (as a bartender looking for sex), David Chappelle (as a disco cab driver), Kate Hudson (as a nice girl who has just lost her virginity), Jay Mohr (as the guy who took it), and Brian McCardie (as an artist who's terrible in bed) - does what amounts to an extended cameo. Blink (or fall asleep, which is not an unrealistic possibility) and you'll miss them.
Plotless movies like this are not necessarily pointless. Fascinating conversations, interesting characters, or unique relationships can turn even a static motion picture into an involving experience. 200 Cigarettes has none of these laudable qualities. When the characters talk, they say dull, forgettable things. A surprisingly high quotient of the comedy is of the unfunny slapstick variety (characters are constantly falling down; one even takes a tumble into a pile that a dog left curbside). And none of the actors, including the normally reliable Ricci, shows anything remarkable. The whole experience of watching this film is disheartening.
200 Cigarettes (the title probably refers to the number of on-screen smokes) loosely belongs in same category as movies like The Last Days of Disco and 54. It relies on music and nostalgia to keep viewers involved (although, to be fair, Last Days boasted some delicious dialogue). The result is shallow and ineffective. 200 Cigarettes has the cast of a great movie. Unfortunately, it doesn't have any of the other necessary elements.
© 1999 James Berardinelli