Holy Smoke

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Cast

Kate Winslet
as Ruth Barron

Harvey Keitel
as P.J. Waters

Julie Hamilton
as Mum

Tim Robertson
as Dad

Sophie Lee
as Yvonne

Dan Wyllie
as Robbie

Dan Wylie
as Robbie

Pam Grier
as Carol

Paul Goddard
as Tim

George Mangos
as Yani

Kerry Walker
as Puss

Leslie Dayman
as Bill-Bill

Samantha Murray
as Prue

Austen Tayshus
as Stan

Simon Anderson
as Fabio

Savrash
as Dancing Boy

Saurabh Srinivasan
as Dancing Boy

Dhritiman Chatterjee
as Chidaatma Baba

Geneviève Lemon
as Rahi

Robert L. Joseph
as Miriam's Taxi Driver

Arif
as Boy Who Runs with Taxi

John Samaha
as Chatiwali, Shiva's Diner

Jane Edwards
as Priya

Miranda Cleary
as Priya's Daughter

Tamsin Carroll
as Jodie

T'Mara Buckmaster
as Zoe

Ante Novakovic
as Man with Trolley

Diana Kotatko
as Woman with Trolley

Patricia Lemon
as Woman with Trolley

Ethan Coker
as Toddy Barron

Ellie Burchell
as Tiffany Barron

Morgan Watt
as Boyfriend

Luke Testo
as Boyfriend

William MacKay
as Boyfriend

David Franco
as Boyfriend

Eleanor Knox
as Meryl

Mark Gray
as Dope Peddler

Cameron McAufliffe
as Seducer

Johannes Brinkmann
as Ruth's Boyfriend

Eric Schussler
as Cult Video Reporter

Joan Bogden
as Cult Video Reporter

Robert Lee
as Cult Video Reporter

Doc Neeson
as Member of the Angels

Rick Brewster
as Member of the Angels

John Brewster
as Member of the Angels

Jim Hilburn
as Member of the Angels

Brent Eccles
as Member of the Angels

Eva Martin
as Devotee

Mira Wright
as Devotee

Polly Wright
as Devotee

Lior Aizenberg
as Devotee

S. Samaran
as Devotee

Michelle Abel
as Devotee

Adina Kumar
as Devotee

Jeff Silverman
as Devotee

Andreas Wagner
as Devotee

Vandana Mohindra
as Devotee

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Critic Reviews for Holy Smoke

Audience Reviews for Holy Smoke

• Sep 20, 2015

  Starts really well only to run out of ideas and drive off the proverbial cliff.
  Marcus W Super Reviewer
• Jun 18, 2010

  Holy Smoke is right! Kate Winslet definitely sets the screen on fire, literally and figuratively, in this one as Ruth Barron, a young, idealistic woman, whose parents (Julie Hamilton, Tim Robertson) become concerned when she joins a commune of like-minded seekers in India, under the sway of a charismatic guru. Tricked into returning to her native Australia, she is ambushed by her family and whisked away to a secluded hut for deprogramming by a highly successful American deprogrammer, PJ Waters (Harvey Keitel). What takes place in this desolate location is outside the bounds of any reputable therapy. This is a game (or is it) of cat and mouse and the power shifts back and forth quite precipitously and nearly devastatingly. Excellent performance by the leads, and convincing character development by the supporting cast propel this compelling tale. Surprisingly light moments of wry humor keep this from becoming too unrelentingly dark but without causing it to descend into parody. The control of the plot by Jane Campion feels sure-handed and exhibits a director firmly confident in her craft. The scenery is beautifully desolate and the cinematography is striking. Only a slight letdown at the end detracts from the overall impact.
  

  Mark A Super Reviewer
• Feb 03, 2010

  It's said that sex and religion are two subjects that no one can discuss without arguing; writer/director Jane Campion tackles both head-on in this satiric comedy drama. On a trip to India, Australian Ruth (Kate Winslet) has a spiritual awakening and embraces the teachings of a guru named Baba. Back home in Sydney, Ruth's mother and father (Julie Hamilton and Tim Robertson) are appalled to learn that their daughter now answers to the name Nazni and has no intention of returning. Mother visits her daughter in India in hopes of convincing her to come home, but it's not until she suffers a life-threatening asthma attack that Ruth agrees to return for a visit. Mother pretends to arrange a meeting with Ruth's father, who has been ill, and this trick lands Ruth in the clutches of P.J. Waters (Harvey Keitel), an American exit counselor who deprograms members of religious cults. Waters begins to loosen Ruth's belief in Baba's teachings, but P.J. finds himself sexually attracted to Ruth, and in time she allows him to seduce her. Ruth soon turns the tables on P.J., as she discovers that sex allows her to make mincemeat of his long-held beliefs as a macho, misogynist male. Jane's sister Anna Campion, herself a director, co-authored the screenplay; Pam Grier appears in a supporting role as P.J.'s partner and girlfriend.
  Martin D Super Reviewer
• Apr 08, 2008

  Great, underrated comedy from Campion. Keitel is amazing as the cool cult deprogrammer who by the end is the most pathetic fool in the world. A really fun and funny film.
  Christopher B Super Reviewer

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