Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)

Jim Jarmusch’s Coffee and Cigarettes is a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience. Released in 2003, this black-and-white anthology film is a collection of 11 short vignettes, all centered around—you guessed it—coffee, cigarettes, and deeply human (and often awkward) conversations. It’s minimalist, deadpan, and undeniably cool in its offbeat way.

Detailed Summary

A Symphony of Small Talk

The film doesn’t follow a traditional narrative. Instead, it offers a series of dialogues between characters—often played by real-life celebrities as versions of themselves—who meet over coffee and cigarettes. Each segment has its own vibe, but all share themes of miscommunication, obsession, existential boredom, and unexpected humor.

Notable Vignettes

“Strange to Meet You”

Starring Roberto Benigni and Steven Wright, this opening piece is a surreal exchange where Wright invites Benigni to a dentist appointment he doesn’t want to attend. Benigni enthusiastically agrees. It sets the tone for the film’s dry absurdity.

“Twins”

Joie and Cinqué Lee (siblings of Spike Lee) discuss the effects of caffeine and nicotine on the body. The segment takes a surprisingly metaphysical turn, hinting at time travel and telepathy, but never quite resolves anything.

“Somewhere in California”

One of the most celebrated segments, this features musicians Iggy Pop and Tom Waits. They bond over their disdain for commercialism and music industry expectations—while sneakily trying to one-up each other. Waits brags about quitting smoking… while lighting a cigarette.

“Delirium”

Alfred Molina and Steve Coogan meet in L.A. for what Molina hopes is a friendly chat. It devolves into an awkward mess when Coogan coldly dismisses his attempts at friendship, only to grovel when he discovers Molina has Hollywood connections.

“Champagne”

This closing piece stars Taylor Mead and Bill Rice, two aging bohemians reflecting on life, loneliness, and social decay. It’s a poetic and slightly melancholic send-off, reinforcing the film’s central themes of isolation and longing for connection.

Movie Ending

The final segment, “Champagne,” brings a quiet and thoughtful conclusion to the anthology. Bill and Taylor sit at a diner, discussing how “life is but a dream.” They drink coffee and speak with nostalgic tones, musing over aging, wasted potential, and the decay of art and culture. It’s not dramatic—there’s no big reveal or character resolution—but in true Jarmusch fashion, it captures something universal: two lonely people trying to hold on to the past while facing the absurdity of the present.

As the film closes, the camera lingers on them silently, suggesting that these everyday conversations—seemingly small, often awkward, sometimes beautiful—are what define our shared human experience. There’s no dramatic payoff, just a final sip of coffee and a long drag of a cigarette.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in Coffee and Cigarettes. True to its minimalist indie style, the film ends with the final vignette and then rolls credits without any additional content or surprises.

Type of Movie

Coffee and Cigarettes is a black-and-white anthology film that blends comedy, drama, and experimental cinema. It’s best described as an indie art film with heavy emphasis on dialogue and atmosphere rather than plot.

Cast

The film features an eclectic mix of actors, musicians, and cultural icons, including:

• Roberto Benigni
• Steven Wright
• Iggy Pop
• Tom Waits
• Steve Coogan
• Alfred Molina
• Cate Blanchett (playing both herself and a fictional cousin)
• Bill Murray
• The RZA & GZA of Wu-Tang Clan
• Jack White & Meg White of The White Stripes

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack is a blend of jazz, blues, and early rock ‘n’ roll, curated by Jarmusch himself (who is also a musician). There isn’t a traditional score, but the use of artists like The Skatalites, Iggy Pop, and vintage jazz tracks adds to the film’s gritty, retro tone.

Filming Locations

The segments were shot over several years (from 1986 to 2003), in various cafés, diners, and studios across the U.S. and Europe, though no specific cities are highlighted in the story. The generic, often unnamed settings serve to emphasize the characters and dialogue over place.

Awards and Nominations

• Cannes Film Festival 2003 – Official Selection
• Won Best Ensemble Cast at the San Diego Film Critics Society Awards
• Nominated for Best Foreign Film at the César Awards (France)

The film was mostly praised in indie circles and by critics who favor minimalist storytelling.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The segment with Iggy Pop and Tom Waits was shot in one take—Jarmusch wanted to capture their raw chemistry.
• Cate Blanchett played both roles in “Cousins” using a split-screen technique. She reportedly improvised much of the dialogue.
• The earliest vignette (“Strange to Meet You“) was filmed in 1986, almost two decades before the rest of the film was completed.
• Jarmusch never gave the actors full scripts—just outlines. The goal was natural, unscripted dialogue.
• Bill Murray’s cameo was shot in one day at a New York diner he actually frequented.

Inspirations and References

• The film was inspired by Jim Jarmusch’s love of small talk and his own experiences hanging out in diners.
• Stylistically, it draws from the Beat Generation, with echoes of Kerouac, Ginsberg, and early Cassavetes.
• The recurring themes of addiction, disconnection, and ironic self-awareness are common in European art cinema, particularly from directors like Godard.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no confirmed alternate endings, but two full vignettes were reportedly cut from the final version. One involved a taxi driver who only communicated using jazz references. Another featured two waitresses discussing astrology and conspiracy theories. Neither made it past the editing room.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Coffee and Cigarettes is not based on a book, but it has been the subject of multiple academic essays analyzing its themes of consumer culture, alienation, and postmodern dialogue.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Iggy Pop and Tom Waits’ “cigarette détente”: a backhanded bonding moment.
• Bill Murray drinking straight from a coffee pot while being recognized by Wu-Tang Clan members.
• Cate Blanchett’s dual-role dinner: a one-woman masterclass in subtle performance.
• Jack White showing Meg White his homemade Tesla coil, claiming it’s “for fun.”

Iconic Quotes

• “Cigarettes and coffee, man. That’s a combination.” – Steven Wright
• “I quit smoking. But I can still have one now and then, right? I mean, I’m not a Nazi about it.” – Tom Waits
• “It’s just weird how we’re so… caffeinated.” – Joie Lee
• “You don’t know Nikola Tesla? Shame on you.” – Jack White

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Tom Waits and Iggy Pop both pretend to have quit smoking, only to light up anyway—mirroring each other in ironic fashion.
• Nikola Tesla is mentioned multiple times across different segments, suggesting a thematic link between electricity, connection, and communication.
• Each vignette subtly references another—with recurring motifs like checkerboard tables, repeated lines, and coffee brands.
• The checkerboard tablecloth in every scene symbolizes duality, opposites, and black-and-white thinking.

Trivia

• Jim Jarmusch edited the film himself over nearly 20 years.
• The script was written in fragments and improvised by the actors.
• The film was shot in black and white to make the disparate segments feel more unified.
• Roberto Benigni and Steven Wright didn’t understand each other during filming and had to ad-lib around the confusion.
• One of the only “films” where Cate Blanchett acts opposite herself.

Why Watch?

Watch Coffee and Cigarettes if you enjoy:

• Smart, understated humor
• Celebrity cameos that actually work
• Conversations that go nowhere but say everything
• Black-and-white cinematography with a jazz soul

It’s not for fans of high-stakes drama or fast-paced plots. But if you appreciate quirky dialogue, deadpan delivery, and watching Iggy Pop try to order espresso, this one’s for you.

Director’s Other Movies

• Stranger Than Paradise (1984)
• Dead Man (1995)
• Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
• Broken Flowers (2005)
• Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
• Paterson (2016)
• The Dead Don’t Die (2019)

Recommended Films for Fans

• My Dinner with Andre (1981)
• Night on Earth (1991)
• Before Sunrise (1995)
• Frances Ha (2012)
• Slacker (1990)
• The Limits of Control (2009)