Coffee and Cigarettes is one of those little experimental films that doesn't work all the time, but when it does, it puts a great big smile on your face.

Directed by respected independent film maker Jim Jarmusch (Stranger Than Paradise, Dead Man, and my personal favorite--Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai), Coffee and Cigarettes is a compilation of eleven vignettes made over the course of 17 years and shot in black and white. The common thread binding all the stories together? Each takes place in a coffee shop of some sort, and each features it's main characters (or character) engaging in conversation while drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes. In most cases, the performers are actually playing themselves which lends a kind of intimacy to the project.

Each story is improvised (to some extent) providing the actors the opportunity to go any direction they want. Sometimes it works but much of the time it doesn't. It's clear which moments don't really work because you can sense the performers' struggle to figure out what to say, and this drags certain vignettes down. Some actors are better at improvisation than others, and that certainly shows in this movie.

"Somewhere in California" features legendary musicians Iggy Pop and Tom Waits as two rock stars meeting each other for the first time. IGGY POP AND TOM WAITS!!!! Are you kidding me? The idea alone is far too cool. And that's how most of the scene plays--cool! It's not so much listening to what they're saying as it is just seeing these two icons on screen together. It was fun and I bought into it even if the vignette does sort of run on a little too long.

"Jack Shows Meg His Tesla Coil" is equally cool, particularly if you're a White Stripes fan. This short features a super intellectual Jack White explaining the science behind his Tesla Coil to band mate Meg. He even demonstrates how it works (you have to see it--words don't do the scene justice). And perhaps the most joyous moment comes when Meg suggests that the best thing that came out of the Tesla Coil is; "That's there where the band Tesla got their name". Hip to say the least.

"Cousins" features an outstanding turn by Cate Blanchett who dazzles in dual roles. She plays herself and she also plays her own distant cousin Shelly who bares a striking resemblance to her. So much in fact, that Shelly explains that she is often mistaken for her famous cousin. I enjoyed the hell out of this vignette because Blanchett more or less makes fun of her own celebrity, but there's also something quite sad about the whole thing. I really admired this skit's courage, and of all the vignettes in the entire movie, this one probably had the most to say.

"Cousins?" is clearly the best vignette in the picture. Alfred Molina invites Steve Coogan to his home to present a startling revelation. At first, Coogan is intrigued, but soon he begins to find Molina a bit on the wacky side. This is two pros at work, and of all the shorts in the movie, this one feels the most natural (with a possible exception of Blanchett's short) even though some of it seems a bit on the outrageous side. Molina is perfectly low key, while Coogan is sort of his brash, arrogant counterpart. The rhythm here is truly something to behold and the actors' timing is absolutely impeccable. I get the distinct impression that this is perhaps the centerpiece of the film as it is clearly the longest and most compelling of all the vignettes. It's both funny and interesting from beginning to end.

Of course there are several shorts in the picture but the previously mentioned four give the movie most of it's kick, although I would assume that many people will be quick to point out "Delirium", a dopey little sketch featuring Wu Tang rappers Rza and Gza, and a wily Billy Murray. It has it's moments, but it's not as memorable as the ones I just mentioned.

I'd recommend Coffee and Cigarettes to those who enjoy the works of Jim Jarmush and to those looking for an interesting diversion. It's certainly not a movie for everybody. For me, the Molina/Coogan vignette alone, takes this hip little flick from a C+ to a B. They're that good.