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Holy Smoke

R Released Feb 22, 2000 1h 54m Comedy Drama TRAILER for List
46% Tomatometer 82 Reviews 47% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
While on a journey of discovery in exotic India, beautiful young Ruth Barron (Kate Winslet) falls under the influence of a charismatic religious guru. Her desperate parents then hire PJ Waters (Harvey Keitel), a macho cult de-programmer who confronts Ruth in a remote desert hideaway. But PJ quickly learns that he's met his match in the sexy, intelligent and iron-willed Ruth!
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Holy Smoke

Holy Smoke

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Critics Consensus

Superb performances hindered by weak script and incoherent story.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader All sorts of questions go unanswered, and there's little of the density found in Campion's early work; this is mainly smoke, not fire. Apr 27, 2012 Full Review David Rooney Variety Original in every sense, this often difficult film about family, relationships, sexual politics, spiritual questing, faith and obsession further explores the director's abiding fascinations in excitingly unconventional terms. Jun 17, 2008 Full Review Andrew Sarris Observer Ms. Winslet is, by contrast, champagne and caviar for moviegoing grown-ups with good taste. Apr 27, 2007 Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm ...a sexual awakening of sorts for both of its characters. Rated: 3/4 Nov 13, 2013 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: C Sep 22, 2012 Full Review Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy A profoundly generous treatise on how men and women misunderstand and torment one another. Rated: 8/10 Aug 27, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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lucca b It has great performances and insightful commentary on religion, sexuality and cultism. However, its weak script and uneven narrative prevent it from being a worthy watch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I love movies that take you away to another place where you get to meet interesting people do interesting things. This is one of those movies. What a fascinating, aggressive, deep, unique, and perplexing movie. Harvey Keitel and Kate are at the top of their game and should have been nominated for Oscars. The supporting cast only makes the film better. Kate's mom deserved a nomination for Best Female in a supporting role. Great acting all around. Rating: A- Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review john m Some of it is wonderfully acted, specifically in the more intimate scenes with just Keitel and Winslet but Campion has too much going on here overall and a lot of Keitel's character arcs just seem out of place and strange. As much as I love Campion as a unique feminist filmmaker, there is an ultimate loss of cohesion and focus to this film which could have been easily amended by keeping it simpler and more grounded in its characters. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review lanfranco c When the "Victim" becomes the "Master" Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Starts really well only to run out of ideas and drive off the proverbial cliff. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member takes on sex and religion all in 1 pic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Holy Smoke

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Cast & Crew

Holy Smoke

Holy Smoke: Official Clip - I Love You, Ruth Holy Smoke: Official Clip - I Love You, Ruth 1:57 Holy Smoke: Official Clip - P.J. Waters, Cult Exiter Holy Smoke: Official Clip - P.J. Waters, Cult Exiter 1:47 Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Indian Guru Baba Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Indian Guru Baba 2:08 Holy Smoke: Official Clip - I Put a Spell on You Holy Smoke: Official Clip - I Put a Spell on You 2:08 Holy Smoke: Official Clip - How to Kiss a Woman Holy Smoke: Official Clip - How to Kiss a Woman 2:13 Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Hindu Hallucination Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Hindu Hallucination 2:10 Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Man Hater Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Man Hater 2:06 Holy Smoke: Official Clip - An Ugly Woman Holy Smoke: Official Clip - An Ugly Woman 2:12 Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Revolting Sex Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Revolting Sex 2:13 Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Punch Out Holy Smoke: Official Clip - Punch Out 2:12 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis While on a journey of discovery in exotic India, beautiful young Ruth Barron (Kate Winslet) falls under the influence of a charismatic religious guru. Her desperate parents then hire PJ Waters (Harvey Keitel), a macho cult de-programmer who confronts Ruth in a remote desert hideaway. But PJ quickly learns that he's met his match in the sexy, intelligent and iron-willed Ruth!
Director
Jane Campion
Producer
Jan Chapman
Screenwriter
Jane Campion, Anna Campion
Distributor
Buena Vista International [us], Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax Films
Rating
R (Strong Sexuality|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 22, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.8M
Runtime
1h 54m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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