Holy Smoke Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Woman goes to India, finds inner peace, family freaks out, hires a guy to un-peace her, but then he gets more un-peaced than her, and everyone ends up confused in the desert.

🍿 Holy Smoke: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ruth’s Transformation in India

Ruth Barron, a young Australian woman, travels to India seeking enlightenment. She becomes entranced by a charismatic guru and embraces his teachings, much to the dismay of her family back in Sydney. Her family grows increasingly concerned as Ruth distances herself and adopts a new identity within the guru’s fold.

The De-programming Intervention

Desperate to bring their daughter back to her old self, Ruth’s parents hire PJ Waters, an American “cult exiter” known for his success in deprogramming individuals involved in cults. They trick Ruth into returning to Australia under the guise of a family emergency, setting the stage for a dramatic intervention. PJ Waters plans to isolate Ruth and use his methods to break her attachment to the guru.

Confrontation in the Outback

Ruth is taken to a remote cabin in the Australian outback, where PJ begins his deprogramming process. However, Ruth proves to be a formidable opponent. She is intelligent, strong-willed, and challenges PJ’s methods at every turn. What starts as a battle of ideologies quickly evolves into a complex and intense psychological and sexual game.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ruth Barron (Kate Winslet): A young Australian woman who becomes deeply involved with a guru in India, leading her family to seek deprogramming.
• PJ Waters (Harvey Keitel): A macho cult de-programmer hired to extract Ruth from the guru’s influence, but finds himself challenged by her.
• Mum (Julie Hamilton): Ruth’s mother, desperate to bring her daughter back from India and the guru’s influence, initiates the deprogramming.
• Yvonne (Sophie Lee): Robbie’s wife is a very flirty, sexually available woman with a crush on PJ.
• Robbie (Dan Wyllie): Ruth’s gay brother struggles to find his place within his family.
• Dad (Tim Robertson): Ruth’s father, who feigns illness to trick his daughter into returning home.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• PJ Waters: “I don’t hate women. I love ladies.” – PJ states this in response to Ruth’s accusations of him being a misogynist, highlighting his attempts to justify his actions.
• Ruth Barron: “Ha! Ladies! You wouldn’t know any. I bet you date little Barbie dolls, don’t you? “Oh, you’re so brainy, you’re so big! Can I suck your dick?” Can I be alone now?” – Ruth’s retort to PJ’s statement, revealing her sharp wit and rejection of his idea of women.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,765,545
• Worldwide Gross: $1,765,545

💥 Holy Smoke Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Holy Smoke’ is weird, but in a way I couldn’t stop watching. The clash between Ruth and PJ is like a train wreck – you know it’s going to be bad, but you can’t look away. The scene where Ruth pees on herself was shocking, and I spent the rest of the movie wondering how their relationship would develop after that. Harvey Keitel in a dress? I definitely wasn’t expecting that. It’s a movie that sticks with you, even if you’re not sure *why*.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological dramas”
  • “Those who enjoy films exploring complex gender dynamics”
  • “Those interested in films that challenge societal norms”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Religious themes”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Campion’s direction is sharp, and the performances are electric. ‘Holy Smoke’ challenges conventional notions of sexuality, spirituality, and family dynamics, making it a thought-provoking, if at times unsettling, cinematic experience.
• A.O. Scott: “While the performances are strong, the film occasionally veers into the absurd, questioning the balance between satire and seriousness. ‘Holy Smoke’ presents a complex power struggle with moments of genuine insight.
• Lisa Schwarzbaum: “‘Holy Smoke’ is a daring and audacious film that defies easy categorization. Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel deliver unforgettable performances in this thought-provoking exploration of faith, identity, and the battle of the sexes.

Audience Reactions

Winslet and Keitel’s performances were raw and unforgettable.: Most viewers were impressed by the actors’ dedication to their complex and challenging roles.

The film provoked intense discussion about the themes it presented.: Audiences appreciated the film’s willingness to tackle controversial subjects head-on, even if the results were sometimes uncomfortable.

Overall Consensus: Viewers are sharply divided with polarizing opinions ranging from ‘masterpiece’ to ‘utter garbage’. Winslet and Keitel are lauded for their performances, while the plot splits the viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Kate Winslet has stated that working on this film led to a humorous incident where Harvey Keitel wanted to improvise intimacy by acting like a dog, asking Winslet to pretend to be his owner helping him die. She initially thought it was a joke until she realized he was serious.”
• “The film explores themes of cultural appropriation, religious extremism, and the battle of wills between genders.”

🖥️ How to Watch Holy Smoke?

Currently, Holy Smoke is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings as availability may vary. Unfortunately, it’s not currently available on major streaming subscription services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Holy Smoke, you might like these similar films:

• The Master (2012): Both films explore the dynamics between a charismatic leader and a follower, questioning the nature of belief and influence.
• Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011): Examines the psychological aftermath of escaping a cult and the difficulties of reintegrating into normal life.

🛒 Holy Smoke Related Products

• The Piano [Blu-ray]: Experience Jane Campion’s other cinematic masterpiece, The Piano, on stunning Blu-ray. This critically acclaimed film also stars Harvey Keitel and explores themes of passion and isolation with breathtaking visuals and an unforgettable score.
• Religious Cults: Sociological Perspectives: A thoughtful examination of religious cults and their impact on society. Explore the psychological and sociological aspects of cult membership and the deprogramming process.
• Kate Winslet Signed Photo: Own a piece of movie history with this autographed photo of Kate Winslet. This is a great gift for Holy Smoke fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

Holy Smoke features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Holly Holy” – performed by Neil Diamond

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kate Winslet’s Urination Scene: The Details

Ever wonder how they film those awkward scenes? Kate Winslet spills the beans on the ‘Holy Smoke’ urination scene, and it’s way more interesting than you’d think! Honestly, her dedication is admirable.

Kate Winslet’s Absolutely Bizarre Improv Story | The Graham Norton Show

Kate Winslet tells the most hilarious story about improv on the set of ‘Holy Smoke’. Trust me, you won’t believe what happened – it’s completely bonkers!

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