Themes: Down on Their Luck, Alcoholism, Age Disparity Romance
Main Cast: Steve Buscemi, Mark Boone, Jr., Chloë Sevigny, Michael Buscemi, Anthony LaPaglia
Release Year: 1996
Country: US
Run Time: 94 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Character actor Steve Buscemi made his debut as a writer and director with this seriocomic tale of a guy who is going through something but doesn't know just what it is. Tommy is a 31-year-old auto mechanic who lost his last job after "borrowing" 1,500 dollars from the cash register and heading to Atlantic City, where he wasted no time losing it all at the tables. The fact that he can't get his own car to run isn't impressing any prospective employers, so Tommy spends much of his time at the Trees Lounge, a local watering hole conveniently located downstairs from his apartment. Eventually Tommy lands some work driving an ice cream truck and becomes acquainted with his ex-girlfriend's 17-year-old niece, Debbie (Chloë Sevigny). When they half-heartedly fall into a romance, it's just one more thing for Tommy to be confused about. Buscemi draws upon a rich cast of supporting actors, including Elizabeth Bracco, Anthony LaPaglia, Carol Kane, Debi Mazar, Samuel L. Jackson, and Mimi Rogers. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
For an actor who made his name in films by style-over-substance directors (Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez), Steve Buscemi presents a surprisingly quiet, no-frills character study for his feature directorial debut, Trees Lounge. Also serving as writer and star, Buscemi tones down his own trademark talkiness in the central role of Tommy, a Long Island barfly and out-of-work mechanic who's spinning his wheels only slightly more noticeably than the other sad small-timers around him. It's a portrait of people living with their mistakes and making do in undersized lives, and it's replete with ambiguous morality, messy resolutions, and provocative moments. Because it also keeps a sense of humor, it's a balanced, vivid work. Buscemi gets natural performances from all of his actors, most notably Chloë Sevigny, in one of her earliest roles. As the 17-year-old niece of Tommy's ex-girlfriend, Sevigny is both the catalyst and casualty of the impotent anger and loneliness that burdens the other characters. A memorable outing, Trees Lounge proves Buscemi to be more than just an actor who "really wants to direct." ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
Elizabeth Bracco - Theresa; Victor Arnold - Tony Basilio; Daniel Baldwin - Jerry; Eszter Balint - Marie; Richard Boes - Freddie; Seymour Cassel - Uncle Al; Marilyn Chris - Josie Basilio; Kevin Corrigan - Matthew; Michael Imperioli - George; Samuel L. Jackson - Wendell; Carol Kane - Connie; Joe Lisi - Harry; Debi Mazar - Crystal; Charlie Newmark - Puck; Steve Randazzo - Vic; Rockets Redglare - Stan; Mimi Rogers - Patty; Suzanne Shepherd - Jackie; Brooke Smith - Tina; John Ventimiglia - Johnny; Irma St. Paule - Grandma; Annette Arnold - Sandy; Bianca Bakiia - Kelly; Io Tillett Wright - Little Girl; Roberta Hanley - Roberta; Daniella Rich - Samantha; Bronson Dudley - Bill; Carina Finn - Anna; Michael Storms - Little Boy; Christina Gildea - Marie's Mother; Marissa Lanzello - Lisa; Larry Guillard, Jr. - James; Lucian Buscemi - Crystal's son
Credit
Jennifer Alex - Art Director, Georgianne Walken - Casting, Sheila Jaffe - Casting, Kelley Forsyth - Co-producer, Sarah Vogel - Co-producer, Steve Buscemi - Director, Kate Williams - Editor, Julie Silverman - Executive Producer, Nick Wechsler - Executive Producer, Evan Lurie - Composer (Music Score), Evan Lurie - Songwriter, Steve Rosenzweig - Production Designer, Lisa Rinzler - Cinematographer, Brad Wyman - Producer, Chris Hanley - Producer, Lisa Kent - Set Designer, Coll Anderson - Sound/Sound Designer, Steve Buscemi - Screenwriter, Osa Elmfors - Second Assistant Camera
