à gauche : Samuel L. Jackson : Wendell
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If by '7.0' IMDb means '8.5' then they're perfectly correct!
Author: Andrew DiMonte (NoArrow) from My House, Canada
31 October 2003
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
"Trees Lounge" is directed, written by and starring my favorite actor. Do I even have to mention his name? It seems that even the least-buffiest of film buffs knows who the terrific bad-toothed bug-eyed fellow from so many films is. But, because I'd rather use his name than refer to him by his facial features, I shall. Steve Buscemi.
The man with the perfect comedic timing. The man who can play ruthless, cruel criminals (Fargo and Reservoir Dogs); nice, loving losers (Trees Lounge, Ghost World); and the man that can even save the worst of Adam Sandler movies from total hell (Mr. Deeds, Big Daddy).As I said, Buscemi (great last name eh?) wrote, directed and starred in "Trees Lounge", the story of alcoholic Tommy Basilio (Buscemi), the kind of man that defines "loser". His girlfriend left him for his best friend (Anthony LaPaglia), who's no longer his best friend. His uncle (Seymour Cassle) just died, and the only way he can work is by taking over the town ice cream truck.
Not only this, but he's constantly finding himself at Trees Lounge, the neighborhood bar, drinking more than he should."Trees Lounge" is an ensemble piece of only one. Buscemi's writing is amazing. The words flow so well, making this one of the few films that convinces you the characters are completely real. Every character has their own way, their own style of talking. Whether it's Mike's (Mark Boone Junior) lazy slurred speech or Debbie's (Chloe Sevigny) Gen-X type rebellious talk.
The directing is done quite well too. The whole feel of the film - even the shade of the screen - is a grayish, tragic one. He even uses some film tricks he seemed to have picked up from other directors he's worked with. The unique flashback/video sequence of one of Tommy's relative's parties is reminiscent of Tarantino. The fast paced scene where Tommy is assaulted by Debbie's father (Daniel Baldwin) reminds me of Robert Rodriguez.
And, of course, the acting. Everyone who's seen a few Buscemi films know that he can bring new (or more) life to a comedic, dramatic, ruthless or just plain weird role. In this, he blends them all together. Comedic - when he's trying to convince a cousin that his uncle loved him. Dramatic - when he's sadly telling his former girlfriend he can change. Ruthless - when he takes his former best friend's offer a little too far and buys an expensive gift. Weird - his hilarious impression of Marlon Brando from "On the Waterfront".
And, just as Buscemi blends his acting talents together he blends every aspect of filmmaking in his control to create a heartfelt dramatic comedy in "Trees Lounge", 8.5.
