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Superb performances hindered by weak script and incoherent story. Read critic reviews
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Holy Smoke videos
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - I Love You, Ruth
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - P.J. Waters, Cult Exiter
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Indian Guru Baba
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - I Put a Spell on You
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - How to Kiss a Woman
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Hindu Hallucination
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Man Hater
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - An Ugly Woman
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Revolting Sex
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Punch Out
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Keep Breathing
Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Faking It
Holy Smoke Photos
Movie Info
While on a journey of discovery in exotic India, beautiful young Ruth Barron (Kate Winslet) falls under the influence of a charismatic religious guru. Her desperate parents then hire PJ Waters (Harvey Keitel), a macho cult de-programmer who confronts Ruth in a remote desert hideaway. But PJ quickly learns that he's met his match in the sexy, intelligent and iron-willed Ruth!
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Rating: R (Strong Sexuality|Language)
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Genre: Comedy, Drama
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Original Language: English
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Director: Jane Campion
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Producer: Jan Chapman
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Writer: Jane Campion, Anna Campion
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Release Date (Theaters): wide
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
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Runtime:
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Distributor: Buena Vista International [us], Miramax Films
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Production Co: Miramax Films
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Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
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Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)
Cast & Crew
Critic Reviews for Holy Smoke
Audience Reviews for Holy Smoke
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Starts really well only to run out of ideas and drive off the proverbial cliff.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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