Joe and Smokes

Few things in this world are more random than a conversation between a coffee-pot swilling Bill Murray and tea sipping Wu Tangers, mainly centered on alternative medicine.
But Roberto Benigni and Steven Wright inexplicably changing chairs (and a dental appointment) comes very close.
And two old men confused about whether they’re on lunch or a coffee break isn’t particularly out of the ordinary, but add in the phrase “It sounds so heavy and ponderous” and things turn to the strange.
“Coffee and Cigarettes” isn’t particularly good on the whole, but there are dozens of near-perfect moments throughout.
From the perspective of one who has killed many a grand hour in the company of coffee and cigarettes (and of course, company) the film reaches its truth in the atmosphere.
There’s a definite cadence to the coffee drinking session, a very natural rise and fall of things, a pacing that isn’t the same as say a bar or park bench. It is leisure that has taken on a crucial tone, but still isn’t ready to rush things.
Maybe it’s just because the experiences are linked, but I’d compare drinking coffee (and the abandoned accompaniment of cigarette smoking) to reading Salinger.
The rebel spirit of over-analysis is present in both; it’s an intellectual pursuit that serves little actual purpose. And the characters are rich - in company and in beverage.
Jim Jarmusch did nothing particularly groundbreaking in stringing together 11 short black and white films, but “Coffee and Cigarettes” doesn’t seem to be about making an artistic statement. It seems to be, simply, a celebration of the convergence of its title elements. There’s an inherent freedom in being able to pass the time over a cup of coffee, and a certain challenge posed in filling time with conversation.
Go see it, support your local art house theatre. Then get a cup of coffee (Nikola Tesla conversation optional).