Smoke
The plot of this movie, like smoke, drifts and swirls ethereally. Characters and subplots are deftly woven into a tapestry of stories and pictures which only slowly emerges to our view. This movie tries to convince us that reality doesn't matter so much as aesthetic satisfaction. In Auggie Wren's (Harvey Keitel's) New York City smoke shop, day by day passes, seemingly unchanging until he teaches us to notice the little details of life. Paul Benjamin (William Hurt), a disheartened and broken writer, has a brush with death that is pivotal and sets up an unlikely series of events that afford him a novel glimpse into the life on the street which he saw, but did not truly perceive, every day. Finally, it's Auggie's turn to spin a tale.
Working with a tight budget of $7.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $8.3M in global revenue (+19% profit margin).
12 wins & 9 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Smoke (1995) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Wayne Wang's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 52 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Auggie Wren opens the Brooklyn Cigar Co. For another day, performing his daily ritual of photographing the corner at 8am. Paul Benjamin walks in for his morning cigars—establishing their stable, repetitive world.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Rashid, a young Black teenager, saves Paul from being hit by a truck, throwing him to the ground. This near-death experience brings an unexpected stranger into Paul's carefully controlled world.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Paul makes the active choice to let Rashid stay, asking him to help organize books in exchange. He opens his protected world to another person for the first time since his wife's death., moving from reaction to action.
At 55 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Rashid's father, Cyrus, appears at the gas station where Rashid is now working. Their estrangement is revealed. Rashid hides, unable to confront his father—a false defeat showing his journey isn't complete., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cyrus suffers a serious accident at the gas station, collapsing. Rashid must confront that his father might die without them reconciling—the death (literal and metaphorical) of the possibility of avoiding the truth., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Rashid chooses honesty, revealing his true identity to his recovering father and beginning genuine conversation. This breakthrough in truth-telling provides the key insight: connection requires vulnerability., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Smoke's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Smoke against these established plot points, we can identify how Wayne Wang utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Smoke within the comedy genre.
Wayne Wang's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Wayne Wang films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Smoke represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Wayne Wang filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Wayne Wang analyses, see Last Holiday, The Joy Luck Club and Maid in Manhattan.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Auggie Wren opens the Brooklyn Cigar Co. for another day, performing his daily ritual of photographing the corner at 8am. Paul Benjamin walks in for his morning cigars—establishing their stable, repetitive world.
Theme
Auggie shows Paul his photo albums, saying "It's my corner. I mean, it's just one little part of the world, but things take place there too, just like everywhere else." The theme of finding meaning in small, daily rituals and connections is stated.
Worldbuilding
We meet the regulars at the cigar shop and learn about Paul's life as a novelist still grieving his wife's death years ago. The rhythms of Brooklyn life, the tobacco shop as community hub, and Paul's emotional isolation are established.
Disruption
Rashid, a young Black teenager, saves Paul from being hit by a truck, throwing him to the ground. This near-death experience brings an unexpected stranger into Paul's carefully controlled world.
Resistance
Paul reluctantly lets Rashid into his apartment. Rashid is clearly lying about his identity and circumstances. Paul debates whether to help or turn him away, wrestling with his desire for solitude versus human connection.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Paul makes the active choice to let Rashid stay, asking him to help organize books in exchange. He opens his protected world to another person for the first time since his wife's death.
Mirror World
Ruby, Auggie's former girlfriend, appears at the shop with shocking news: she has a daughter (Felicity) who might be Auggie's. This subplot introduces themes of responsibility, fatherhood, and confronting the past.
Premise
Multiple storylines explore connection and storytelling: Paul and Rashid bond; Auggie investigates whether Felicity is his daughter; stories are exchanged at the cigar shop. The film delivers on its promise of interwoven Brooklyn tales.
Midpoint
Rashid's father, Cyrus, appears at the gas station where Rashid is now working. Their estrangement is revealed. Rashid hides, unable to confront his father—a false defeat showing his journey isn't complete.
Opposition
Complications mount: Auggie discovers Felicity is involved in drugs; Ruby pressures him for money; Paul learns Rashid has been lying; Cyrus is revealed to be blind and searching for his son. Truth becomes harder to avoid.
Collapse
Cyrus suffers a serious accident at the gas station, collapsing. Rashid must confront that his father might die without them reconciling—the death (literal and metaphorical) of the possibility of avoiding the truth.
Crisis
Rashid sits vigil at his father's hospital bedside, processing his fear, guilt, and love. Auggie contemplates what being a father means. Paul reflects on loss and connection. Dark night of emotional reckoning.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rashid chooses honesty, revealing his true identity to his recovering father and beginning genuine conversation. This breakthrough in truth-telling provides the key insight: connection requires vulnerability.
Synthesis
Resolutions unfold: Rashid reunites with Cyrus; Auggie decides to help Felicity in his own way; Paul completes his novel, inspired by the stories around him. Each character acts on what they've learned about connection and responsibility.
Transformation
Christmas morning at the cigar shop. Auggie tells Paul the story of the "Auggie Wren Christmas Story"—a tale of compassion and human connection. Paul listens, transformed from isolated writer to engaged listener and friend.