Trees Lounge (1996)

Director:

Steve Buscemi

Writer:

Steve Buscemi (writer)

Release Date:

11 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

A story about one man's search... for who knows what

Plot:

Things aren't going so well for Tommy Basilio. He lost his job because he "borrowed" money from the register...

Plot Keywords:

Video | Alcoholic | Pregnant | Pregnancy | Bar

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Carol Kane	...	Connie
Mark Boone Junior	...	Mike
Steve Buscemi	...	Tommy
Bronson Dudley	...	Bill
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Rob (as Anthony Lapaglia)
Michael Buscemi	...	Raymond
Elizabeth Bracco	...	Theresa
John Ventimiglia	...	Johnny
Steven Randazzo	...	Vic
Suzanne Shepherd	...	Jackie
Rockets Redglare	...	Stan
Joe Lisi	...	Harry
Debi Mazar	...	Crystal
Eszter Balint	...	Marie
Richard Boes	...	Freddie

MPAA:

Rated R for plentiful strong language and some drug content.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:12 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Addis Wechsler Pictures

Trivia:

About 8 minutes in, just before Buscemi drives up to the garage where he has dialogue with a mechanic about his car's problem, he passes a parking lot. In the lot are three men walking together in the distance. They're dressed in Reservoir Dogs (1992) garb (black suits, white shorts, black tie); an homage to the film that put Buscemi on the map.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the wake, when Tommy and Debbie are praying over Uncle Al's body, you can see Seymour breathing, even though he is suppose to be a dead body in a casket.

Quotes:

Marie: You don't go to work every day. You go to a bar every day.

Movie Connections:

References The Shining (1980)

Soundtrack:

YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET

Labor of Love

If John Cassavetes was alive, he'd have a copy of Trees Lounge in his video library. This is a story that is hard to tell, let alone find an audience. Although many can relate with the cast of lost souls hanging out at a bar most of the day, many will not admit to being somewhat connected to any of the characters. Filmed for less that 2 million, this independent, low budget, and somewhat of a masterpiece is brilliant as well as entertaining. Much of the cast has gone on to do other known films. Carol Kane, Mark Boone Junior Steve Buscemi, Bronson Dudley, Anthony LaPaglia and Steve's brother Michael Buscemi star in this Minnie and Moskowitz type story. Seymour Cassell and Mimi Rogers add their touch of magic to this story as well. A deep story with deep characters, this is a movie worth watching.