Romance & Cigarettes

Nick, a blue collar ironworker, shares his life with his wife Kitty Kane and their three daughters. The rhythm of their days is upended when he becomes smitten with a much younger woman, Tula, and begins an affair. The romance unsettles Nick and destabilizes the marriage, with Kitty furious at the betrayal and pushing him out of the house. As the affair deepens, Nick confronts the costs of desire and loyalty, while his kids watch the fallout and try to make sense of the chaos. The film mixes tough humor with candid emotion and bursts into song at key moments, turning familiar troubles into a romping, musical reflection on love and risk.

Directed by John Turturro, Romance & Cigarettes arrived in 2005 with an ensemble cast led by James Gandolfini and Susan Sarandon. The film uses music as a narrative element, presenting an original screenplay rather than adapting a preexisting work.

Critics noted the unusual blend of comedy, romance, and song, praising the performances of Gandolfini and Sarandon and the film's sharp, intimate look at marriage and temptation. Themes include fidelity and aging, the pull of new desire, and the way secrets strain family bonds, sometimes with a wry wink.

Box office total reached about 2,945,242 dollars worldwide, signaling a modest release with a niche audience. The film’s creditable performances and audacious musical approach have kept it on some viewers' lists despite limited commercial impact.