Holy Smoke (2000)
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Ruth Barron
as P.J. Waters
as Mum
as Dad
as Yvonne
as Robbie
as Robbie
as Carol
as Tim
as Yani
as Puss
as Bill-Bill
as Prue
as Stan
as Fabio
as Dancing Boy
as Dancing Boy
as Chidaatma Baba
as Rahi
as Miriam's Taxi Driver
as Boy Who Runs with Taxi
as Chatiwali, Shiva's Diner
as Priya
as Priya's Daughter
as Jodie
as Zoe
as Man with Trolley
as Woman with Trolley
as Woman with Trolley
as Toddy Barron
as Tiffany Barron
as Boyfriend
as Boyfriend
as Boyfriend
as Boyfriend
as Meryl
as Dope Peddler
as Seducer
as Ruth's Boyfriend
as Cult Video Reporter
as Cult Video Reporter
as Cult Video Reporter
as Member of the Angels
as Member of the Angels
as Member of the Angels
as Member of the Angels
as Member of the Angels
as Devotee
as Devotee
as Devotee
as Devotee
as Devotee
as Devotee
as Devotee
as Devotee
as Devotee
as Devotee
Critic Reviews for Holy Smoke
All Critics (82) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (45) | DVD (4)
All sorts of questions go unanswered, and there's little of the density found in Campion's early work; this is mainly smoke, not fire.
Original in every sense, this often difficult film about family, relationships, sexual politics, spiritual questing, faith and obsession further explores the director's abiding fascinations in excitingly unconventional terms.
Ms. Winslet is, by contrast, champagne and caviar for moviegoing grown-ups with good taste.
It's brave, adventurous, refreshingly frank -- qualities also marking the performances, particularly those of the leads.
At once hilarious and serious, cruel and tender, and bristling with vitality, Holy Smoke is the right movie for the millennium, envisioning new possibilities in the way people view and relate to one another.
Nice try, but there's not a laugh in sight.
Audience Reviews for Holy Smoke
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.
Super Reviewer
Although this movie lacks in coherent ideas, it managed to keep me interested the whole way through. It touches on concept after concept, but never settles on a particular intention, or, for that matter, a particular genre. Being a fan of both Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel, I was interested in seeing this to watch them act together. Their work here is not disappointing. Both actors deliver fearless, intently psychological performances that prevent this film from being a total disaster. The sexual relationship between their characters is unpleasantly explored and often quite perverse, but they are talented enough to make it work better than it probably should.
Super Reviewer
Unsustained comedy drama with Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel in the Australian outback.
Super Reviewer
Holy Smoke Quotes
| Ruth: | (singing while drivng her car) 'Cause the love that you gave that we made/Wasn't able to make it enough for you to be open wide, no/And everytime you speak her name/Does she know how you told me you'd me/Until you died 'til you died/But you're still alive. |
| Ruth: | [singing while drivng her car] 'Cause the love that you gave that we made/Wasn't able to make it enough for you to be open wide, no/And everytime you speak her name/Does she know how you told me you'd me/Until you died 'til you died/But you're still alive. |
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