Saturday, December 23, 2006

I want Romance and Cigarettes

Watch this trailer, then come back and we'll talk.

[dialing music]

Okay. Why hasn't Romance and Cigarettes been released theatrically? How come this isn't/wasn't a major event? I've been wondering this for over a year now. I mean, look at the evidence:

1. John Turturro, directing a blue-collar musical
2. Produced by the Coen brothers.
3. Winslet, in gaudy Yorkshire accent and skimpy red attire, lighting a cigarettes on a burning building (badass).
4. Sarandon & Gandolfini as unhappy marrieds.
5. A supporting cast that includes Bobby Canavale, Mandy Moore, Aida Turturro, Mary-Louise Parker, Steve Buscemi, Eddie Izzard, Amy Sedaris, Elaine Stritch and Christopher Walken.
6. The cast sings/lipsynchs Engelbert Humperdinck, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Tom Jones, Cyndi Lauper and Bruce Springsteen.

Now mush that all together. IT'S THE PERFECT MOVIE. There isn't any conceivable reason why it should be held up from distribution in theaters or, at the very least, on DVD. The movie has stars. It's produced by a highly-respected team. And it's a musical -- which 10 years ago might've meant it would never see the light of day, but now means it's marketable! Who cares if it's a trainwreck? Release it, dammit.

It played Toronto last year and was called a "crowdpleaser." The official Web site says it was released on DVD in July. Not in America. I've got a publicity agent working on finding an answer for me. I'll report back. In the meantime, snack on this: Winslet clips from the movie, plus Mary-Louise Parker.

5 comments:

Beedow said...

i want this movie. (and M-L P, who i can't believe i forgot to add earlier to my list of fake lovers with last names starting with P) you've got connections, right?

J.J. said...

i'm working them right now. i will have answers to this. i know winslet personally. and you know stritchy. so we're all set.

Middento said...

This movie has not been released yet because...

THE WORLD IS CRUEL! AND PLAINLY HATES YOU, JJ!!!

(Although admittedly, I know how you feel. Several years ago, the movie Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her went directly to Showtime, and I cried.)

Oh yeah -- and Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

i'll keep an eye out for it on all of my premium channels that mara and i pay for and do not watch.

i could ask her to ask her boss (who is a big wig studio man) if he could get a copy ....

mlp <3 map forever.

wharman said...

How strange. You've made a good case for seeing this one, now I'm salivating and can't have it. How's the publicity agent doing?