This look at a group of young New Yorkers on New Year's Eve 1981 has more than its share of dead spots, but a solid ensemble cast and some inspired sequences make it worthwhile. A klutzy girl (Kate Hudson, who does her mother Goldie Hawn proud) finds herself inexplicably attracting a suave guy (Jay Mohr). Meanwhile, a romantically frustrated woman (Martha Plimpton) stews because no one is showing up for her elaborate party.


Guillermo Diaz, Gabby Hoffman, Christina Ricci and Casey Affleck in
200 Cigarettes. © 1999 Paramount Pictures, used by permission.

The best segment features the surprising but appealing pairing of a morose whiner (Kansas City boy Paul Rudd) and his long-suffering buddy (Courtney Love, proving that her work in The People vs. Larry Flynt was no fluke). Director Risa Bramon Garcia's pacing needs some work and some of the bits don't quite work (Ben Affleck is bland as a flirtatious bartender). The soundtrack is a tad more tasteful than some '80s nostalgia efforts (unlike The Wedding Singer, 200 Cigarettes doesn't lampoon the tackiness of the era). However, some of the tunes appear to have come along later than 1982. Still, it's hard to hate a movie that features a juicy cameo from Elvis Costello. (R)

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