Writer Paul Benjamin is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole saves his life, and soon middle-aged Paul tells homeless Rashid that he wouldn't mind a short-term housemate. Still grieving over his wife's murder, Paul is moved by both Rashid's quest to reconnect with his father and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.
Acting
Keitel's monologue about photographing the same corner for years—devastating.
Writing
Auster's dialogue sparkles like cigarette ash in streetlight.
Cinematography
Brooklyn brownstones shot like love letters to ordinary lives.
Director
Wayne Wang
Harvey Keitel
Augustus 'Auggie' Wren
William Hurt
Paul Benjamin
Stockard Channing
Ruby McNutt
Harold Perrineau
Thomas 'Rashid' Cole
Forest Whitaker
Cyrus Cole
Giancarlo Esposito
1st OTB Man / Tommy
José Zúñiga
2nd OTB Man / Jerry
Stephen Gevedon
OTB Man #3 / Dennis
Jared Harris
Jimmy Rose
Ashley Judd
Felicity
Victor Argo
Vinnie
Michelle Hurst
Aunt Em
Erica Gimpel
Doreen Cole
Deirdre O'Connell
Sue the Waitress
Malik Yoba
The Creeper
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The famous 'Auggie's Brooklyn' photo montage used 4,000 actual photos Keitel shot over months of daily shoots.
Wayne Wang and Paul Auster fought over the ending; Auster wanted more ambiguity, Wang insisted on human warmth. The compromise became the film's beating heart.
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