Trees Lounge – Die Bar, in der sich alles dreht

Film

Trees Lounge is the 1996 feature film debut as writer and director by Steve Buscemi. It was produced by Brad Wyman and Chris Hanley and features a large ensemble cast of actors, including Buscemi, Anthony LaPaglia, Chloë Sevigny and Samuel L. Jackson. The film's black humor, based on examination of characters' self-destructive behavior, has been cited as an influence by The Sopranos creator David Chase [1], who later hired Buscemi to direct an episode of the show ("Pine Barrens") and to star as Tony's cousin Tony Blundetto during the show's 5th season.

It was filmed in Glendale, Queens, Brooklyn, and Valley Stream, New York.

Plot

The film follows Tommy Basilio (Buscemi), a 30 year-old alcoholic and fixture at the local bar, Trees Lounge, who begins to float after losing his girlfriend of 8 years and his job as a mechanic. He continues and amplifies patterns of self-destructive behavior, to include a romantic relationship with a friends's teenaged daughter (Chloe Sevigny).

Selected cast

• Steve Buscemi – Tommy
• Mark Boone Junior – Mike
• Chloë Sevigny – Debbie
• Elizabeth Bracco – Theresa
• Daniel Baldwin – Jerry
• Carol Kane – Connie
• Anthony LaPaglia – Rob
• Seymour Cassel – Uncle Al
• Samuel L. Jackson – Wendell
• Michael Imperioli – George
• John Ventimiglia – Johnny

Awards

Trees Lounge earned Buscemi nominations for Best First Screenplay as well as Best First Feature (along with producers Brad Wyman and Chris Wyman) at the 1997 Independent Spirit Awards, though it won neither.

External links

• Vorlage:Imdb title

[1] DVD Commentary, The Sopranos Season 1