Steve Buscemi suffered from severe panic attacks while making his directorial debut (he also wrote and starred in it). He needn't have worried - it's as watchable, offbeat and charming as the man himself.
Buscemi plays Tommy, a small-town saddo who's lost his job and his girlfriend. He marks time during a lonely summer by driving an ice-cream van and hanging out at the titular bar. Then he falls for the young daughter of one of his friends (Chloë Sevigny)...
A beguiling, sometimes cruel, character piece that plays like a John Cassavetes flick with a sense of humour, Trees Lounge is blessed with colourful supporting players (Samuel L Jackson, Anthony LaPaglia) and plenty of heart. Watch it again... Then ponder just how it is that Buscemi's sophomore effort, Animal Factory, has yet to secure a UK release.
