Chinese Coffee is an excellent film based on the play by Ira Lewis. Well, actually, it is a pretty good film with great writing (likely the play it is based on is a great play) but the directing, (done by Al Pacino) is merely passable, and there involves too many flashback sequences, not to mention the cinematography is nothing to write home about.The DVD is actually an odd one to come by, and it can be found within this Pacino box set that carries two other films in the set, in addition to a documentary.
From everything I've read, this film never made it into the movie houses, likely because Pacino was not proud of his directing, or perhaps the film is just too literary and intelligent to appeal to a wide audience. (The more intelligent something is, the less the studios want of it). Chinese Coffee stars Pacino and Jerry Orbach and the entire film consists of these two men arguing.
Basically, Pacino is a writer who seeks advice from his friend on a particular manuscript. He lives in Greenwich Village, has no money, and is pissed he is unable to support himself from his work. Hmm. Sounds a bit familiar.
Orbach is somewhat a slimeball who blames others for his problems. His wife, his friends, his lack of luck. Ultimately he is envious of Pacino's having written a book based on their friendship that he believes can sell and make money. Though it is also likely that Orbach believes his friend's book has invaded his privacy as well.
Orbach also wrote two stories in his youth, but nothing since, because he just comes up with excuses why he never pursued his craft. Instead he becomes a "sell-out," yet like Pacino, has no money either. Instead he spends his time discussing literature and reading the letters of Tolstoy.
There are some great lines, such as Orbach telling Pacino he should "find something else to do" such as advertising. Then Pacino asks, "Are you seriously telling me I have no talent?" where Orbach replies, "No. Worse. You have no money." Orbach also tells him, (paraphrase) "you need to find something that will make you money because you're going to be fifty and working as a dishwasher who quotes Shaw and Proust all the time."
There are many literary references littered throughout, and an interesting epilogue by Al Pacino. He states that he thinks there are too many flashbacks in the film, but he kept them in because they were funny and seemed to go over well with the audience.
I could tell there was some influence from My Dinner With Andre, yet Chinese Coffee isn't as existential or as deep as Andre, but this was definitely a film where I found myself having to sit up and really pay attention to the dialogue. Not that I don't "pay attention" normally, but honestly, when I put it in the DVD player, I was expecting more of a lighter comic type film. And although there are some comic moments, the writing took me by surprise.
Definitely a different film than some of the Pacino earlier ones, such as The Panic in Needle Park and Author! Author! but all films are good in different ways. Chinese Coffee has by far the best writing, however. As mentioned, there are two other films in this DVD collection, (one called Richard III and the other also based on another play, where Pacino plays Brit). There is also a biography on Pacino, discussing his experiences with film acting as opposed to theater acting.
Chinese Coffee is certainly a film worth watching, and I hope with this review, the word can get out. If you stumble upon it, please give it a watch.
Dan's review can be read here.
