No one does "offbeat" like Quentin Dupieux does. From one film to the next there's no telling just what he's going to give us, from the absurdity of 'Rubber' that obliterates any notion of the fourth wall, to the deadpan delight of 'Deerskin,' to 'Reality,' which toyed endlessly with conceptions of, well, reality. It's all but impossible to meaningfully describe his films beyond a uselessly broad phrase, and his latest project is emphatically kith and kin in its own way. 'Smoking causes coughing' ('Fumer fait tousser') is an anthology flick after a sort, yet in a manner more askew than that of any other I can readily recall, and with a brand of humor that is entirely Dupieux's own. I don't think it's unreasonable to say that the man's works are an acquired taste, and for a niche audience at that, yet if you can get on board with what he's doing then there's no going wrong - this is a blast!
From the fantastically over the top opening, to the deliciously subtle, left-field ending, and with every joke and low-key gross-out gag along the way, this 2022 picture is wonderfully imaginative. One expects as much from Dupieux, certainly, after even just one past encounter, but still he impresses with his wholesale willingness to cast conventions aside and embrace every most wild, whimsical idea, no matter how outrageous. So the fact that this bounces almost at random between unconnected stories, framed by the tale of a superhero team named after chemicals in cigarettes and modeled in various ways after established, famous properties? Inasmuch as one can truly "expect" anything from the filmmaker, this is precisely as wacky and wondrous as we would hope. The opening scene is maybe the most "normal" that the feature gets, in fact, for with each miniature narrative in turn, and absolutely with the overarching saga, the only storytelling choice Dupieux can be relied upon to make is one that doesn't just defy but which altogether laughs in the face of assumptions. And I couldn't be happier with just how fun it is!
For all the ridiculousness, the film is defined by only the utmost expertise and professionalism in terms of its craft. Serving as both cinematographer and editor, in addition to writing directing, gives Dupieux substantial control over his own product, and his skills in every regard are without question. The cast wholeheartedly embrace the nonsense and play it straight, only furthering the slant in the process, and it's a joy simply to watch them ply their trade under these circumstances. Those behind the scenes, meanwhile, did great work all around, not least with regards to the fabulous, considerable blood and gore and other practical effects. Yet everything from the costume design, hair, and makeup, to production design, lighting, and even digital effects are swell, at once deliberately feeding into the cheeky inauthenticity of the whole affair while ably serving the intended needs. And come to think of it, maybe that's the unifying ethos behind Dupieux's pictures - an unlikely balancing act between brazen contrivance and abject fancifulness, twisting both into oddball shapes with the most tremendous of vision. However one wishes to try to classify it, the end result speaks for itself.
When filmmakers pursue quirkiness as a chief trait of their work, there are many ways the endeavor might go. Some lean so hard into the strangeness that they forget to tell a story or do anything interesting; others tread the same territory time and again, and while the repeated journey is enjoyable it's more susceptible to complacency and staleness. Then there's quirkiness as Dupieux does it, where anything goes and the only certainty is that we'll be thrown curveballs we can't anticipate. Of course that means that his features are likely to appeal to a smaller audience than they otherwise might, but for those who appreciate all the wide possibilities of what cinema has to offer, it's a new and stupendous trip every time. 'Smoking causes coughing' is as uniquely smart and superbly made as anything the man does, and I just couldn't be more pleased with how far-out and entertaining it is. One should think hard on what type of films they're open to watching, and specifically to think on the most off the wall presentation they're willing to try, before ever even looking for this. It's well worth the ride, however, and I gladly give 'Smoking causes coughing' my very high and enthusiastic recommendation!
From the fantastically over the top opening, to the deliciously subtle, left-field ending, and with every joke and low-key gross-out gag along the way, this 2022 picture is wonderfully imaginative. One expects as much from Dupieux, certainly, after even just one past encounter, but still he impresses with his wholesale willingness to cast conventions aside and embrace every most wild, whimsical idea, no matter how outrageous. So the fact that this bounces almost at random between unconnected stories, framed by the tale of a superhero team named after chemicals in cigarettes and modeled in various ways after established, famous properties? Inasmuch as one can truly "expect" anything from the filmmaker, this is precisely as wacky and wondrous as we would hope. The opening scene is maybe the most "normal" that the feature gets, in fact, for with each miniature narrative in turn, and absolutely with the overarching saga, the only storytelling choice Dupieux can be relied upon to make is one that doesn't just defy but which altogether laughs in the face of assumptions. And I couldn't be happier with just how fun it is!
For all the ridiculousness, the film is defined by only the utmost expertise and professionalism in terms of its craft. Serving as both cinematographer and editor, in addition to writing directing, gives Dupieux substantial control over his own product, and his skills in every regard are without question. The cast wholeheartedly embrace the nonsense and play it straight, only furthering the slant in the process, and it's a joy simply to watch them ply their trade under these circumstances. Those behind the scenes, meanwhile, did great work all around, not least with regards to the fabulous, considerable blood and gore and other practical effects. Yet everything from the costume design, hair, and makeup, to production design, lighting, and even digital effects are swell, at once deliberately feeding into the cheeky inauthenticity of the whole affair while ably serving the intended needs. And come to think of it, maybe that's the unifying ethos behind Dupieux's pictures - an unlikely balancing act between brazen contrivance and abject fancifulness, twisting both into oddball shapes with the most tremendous of vision. However one wishes to try to classify it, the end result speaks for itself.
When filmmakers pursue quirkiness as a chief trait of their work, there are many ways the endeavor might go. Some lean so hard into the strangeness that they forget to tell a story or do anything interesting; others tread the same territory time and again, and while the repeated journey is enjoyable it's more susceptible to complacency and staleness. Then there's quirkiness as Dupieux does it, where anything goes and the only certainty is that we'll be thrown curveballs we can't anticipate. Of course that means that his features are likely to appeal to a smaller audience than they otherwise might, but for those who appreciate all the wide possibilities of what cinema has to offer, it's a new and stupendous trip every time. 'Smoking causes coughing' is as uniquely smart and superbly made as anything the man does, and I just couldn't be more pleased with how far-out and entertaining it is. One should think hard on what type of films they're open to watching, and specifically to think on the most off the wall presentation they're willing to try, before ever even looking for this. It's well worth the ride, however, and I gladly give 'Smoking causes coughing' my very high and enthusiastic recommendation!