Trees Lounge
Trees Lounge is a 1996 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Steve Buscemi in his feature-length directorial debut.[1] The story centers on Tommy Basilio (Buscemi), a 31-year-old unemployed auto mechanic and heavy drinker from Long Island, New York, who grapples with job loss, a failed relationship, and aimless days spent at the neighborhood bar that gives the film its name.[2] Released on October 11, 1996, by distributor Orion Classics, the low-budget production (approximately $1.3 million) explores themes of stagnation, redemption, and everyday resilience among working-class characters.[1] The film's plot follows Tommy after he is fired from his job for embezzling money to fund his drinking habit, only to see his ex-girlfriend Theresa (Elizabeth Bracco) marry his former boss Rob (Anthony LaPaglia), who may have impregnated her.[2] Isolated in a small apartment above Trees Lounge, Tommy forms tentative connections with bar patrons like the aging alcoholic Bill (Bronson Dudley) and bartender Mike (Mark Boone Junior), while attempting a fleeting romance with 17-year-old Debbie (Chloë Sevigny), which ends in conflict with her father.[2] A pivotal visit to Theresa in the maternity ward prompts Tommy to reflect on his life's downward spiral, blending humor with pathos in Buscemi's semi-autobiographical portrayal of blue-collar despair.[3] Featuring a strong ensemble cast including Carol Kane as Tommy's aunt Connie, Michael Buscemi as his cousin Raymond, and Seymour Cassel as Uncle Al, Trees Lounge was produced by Brad Wyman and Chris Hanley under companies such as Live Entertainment and Hanley Productions.[1] Critically acclaimed for its authentic depiction of barroom life and Buscemi's nuanced performance, the film holds an 81% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and earned a 3.5 out of 4 stars from Roger Ebert, who praised its balanced realism without descending into sentimentality.[3] Though it grossed only $749,741 domestically at the box office, Trees Lounge remains a cult favorite for its slice-of-life storytelling and Buscemi's assured behind-the-camera work.[1]Plot and cast
Plot
Trees Lounge centers on Tommy Basilio, a 31-year-old unemployed auto mechanic in a working-class Long Island neighborhood, whose life revolves around the titular dive bar where he lives in the apartment above. Recently fired for embezzling $1,500 from his garage without permission, Tommy passes his days nursing drinks at the bar, engaging in desultory conversations and games with regulars like the elderly alcoholic Bill and his longtime friend Mike, while grappling with a pervasive sense of regret and aimlessness.[4][2][5] Tommy's unemployment exacerbates his isolation; he futilely attempts to repair his own dilapidated car in the bar's parking lot, symbolizing his stalled personal progress, and occasionally picks up odd jobs to make ends meet. His family relationships strain under these circumstances: his ex-girlfriend Theresa, whom he dated for eight years, has married his former boss Rob and is now pregnant—possibly with Tommy's child—leading to tense visits, such as one to the maternity ward where old wounds resurface. Further complications arise from the death of his Uncle Al, whose funeral devolves into heated arguments among relatives, including Tommy's cousin, over inheritance and unresolved grievances, leaving Tommy to navigate the fallout alone.[2][4] Inheriting Uncle Al's Good Humor ice cream truck offers Tommy a temporary gig, but his sullen demeanor clashes with the cheerful role, resulting in awkward encounters with neighborhood children and escalating mishaps. During one shift, he crosses paths with 17-year-old Debbie, Theresa's niece, who takes an interest in him, sparking a tentative romance that draws Tommy into uncharted emotional territory amid his routine of barroom camaraderie and solitary reflection. These interactions underscore Tommy's internal struggles, as he oscillates between fleeting connections and deepening introspection about his directionless existence.[4][3][2]Cast
The film Trees Lounge features a strong ensemble cast that captures the interconnected lives of working-class characters frequenting a local bar, highlighting the communal yet isolating dynamics of the setting. Led by Steve Buscemi in his directorial debut, the principal roles are portrayed by a mix of established independent film actors and emerging talents, contributing to the film's intimate, character-driven atmosphere.[6]| Actor | Role | Character Description |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Buscemi | Tommy Basilio | The down-and-out protagonist, an unemployed mechanic and alcoholic who spends much of his time at the Trees Lounge bar, embodying the film's themes of stagnation and quiet desperation.[3] |
| Chloë Sevigny | Debbie | A troubled young woman and niece of Theresa, whose interactions with Tommy add layers to the bar's social web; this marks one of Sevigny's early major roles following her debut in Kids (1995).[3][6] |
| Mark Boone Junior | Mike | A fellow bar patron and friend of Tommy, representing the rough, loyal camaraderie among the lounge's habitual drinkers.[6] |
| Anthony LaPaglia | Rob | Tommy's former boss and a key figure in his professional downfall, whose presence underscores the personal and economic tensions within the group.[3] |
| Elizabeth Bracco | Theresa | Tommy's ex-girlfriend, whose marriage to his former boss and pregnancy complicate his emotional struggles.[6] |
| Michael Buscemi | Raymond | A supporting bar-goer and brother to the director, adding to the familial and neighborhood feel of the lounge's patrons.[6] |