Movie spotlight
No Smoking
Taxi driver Ermao buys a lottery ticket on behalf of his boss, Zhang, who runs a bar. Unexpectedly, the ticket wins 5 million yuan. Meanwhile, Ermao's wife, Shanshan—upset after an argument—leaves for a tour job in Kanas and casually slips the ticket into Ermao’s red vest. When the greedy Zhang comes looking for the prize, Ermao can’t find the ticket and assumes Shanshan took it. He sets off with his buddy Dacha on a chaotic journey to track her down. In the end, the missing ticket ends up being rolled into a cigarette by an old shepherd.
Insights
Plot Summary
A man desperately tries to quit smoking, leading him into a surreal and dangerous world. As his addiction manifests in bizarre ways, he becomes entangled with a mysterious woman and a series of strange events. The film blurs the lines between reality and hallucination as his struggle for sobriety spirals into a mind-bending ordeal.
Critical Reception
No Smoking received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While lauded for its unique premise, dark humor, and Anurag Kashyap's directorial vision, some found its surreal nature and complex narrative challenging to follow. The performances, particularly Kashyap's portrayal of the protagonist, were generally praised.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its bold and unconventional storytelling.
Noted for its dark, absurdist humor and unsettling atmosphere.
Some viewers found the plot overly convoluted and difficult to grasp.
Google audience: Information not readily available for Google user reviews.
Fun Fact
The film is a remake of the 2007 Iranian film 'No Smoking' directed by Kazem Daneshi.
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