Cigarettes & Coffee 1993
Paul Thomas Anderson's raw, low-budget debut *Cigarettes & Coffee* (1993) unfolds in a sun-baked desert diner where five strangers find their fates intertwined by a single, fateful twenty-dollar bill.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cigarettes & Coffee (1993) about?
*Cigarettes & Coffee* follows the unexpected connections between strangers in a desert diner, all linked by a single twenty-dollar bill. The compact narrative explores how small decisions can dramatically alter lives, set against a backdrop of tension and intrigue.
Who directed Cigarettes & Coffee?
The film was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, whose early work here foreshadowed his future success in feature films.
Who stars in Cigarettes & Coffee?
The short features Philip Baker Hall, Kirk Baltz, Miguel Ferrer, Scott Coffey, and Kim Gillingham in pivotal roles.
Is Cigarettes & Coffee (1993) worth watching?
For fans of crime dramas and early Paul Thomas Anderson, *Cigarettes & Coffee* is a compelling watch. Its tight storytelling and atmospheric tension make it a standout short film, even if its runtime is brief.
How long is Cigarettes & Coffee?
The runtime of *Cigarettes & Coffee* is 24 minutes.
About Cigarettes & Coffee (1993) — Anderson's Crime Drama Short Unearths Hidden Lives
Paul Thomas Anderson's raw, low-budget debut *Cigarettes & Coffee* (1993) unfolds in a sun-baked desert diner where five strangers find their fates intertwined by a single, fateful twenty-dollar bill. Shot for just $20,000 on location, this 24-minute crime drama weaves a tense, atmospheric tale of chance encounters and hidden connections. With its gritty realism and sharp character studies, the short film captures the unpredictable nature of human decisions and the ripple effects they can have. Anderson's direction is already confident, hinting at the storytelling prowess he'd later bring to features like *Hard Eight*.
Starring Philip Baker Hall alongside Kirk Baltz, Miguel Ferrer, Scott Coffey, and Kim Gillingham, *Cigarettes & Coffee* blends crime and drama into a compact, punchy narrative. The desert diner setting casts a lonely, melancholic glow over the story, emphasizing themes of desperation, morality, and the fragility of life's choices. Though brief, its impact was undeniable, premiering at Sundance and laying the groundwork for Anderson's rising career.