The following was written by Ebertfest correspondent Andy Herren.

I am now home from John Turturro’s brilliant film Romance & Cigarettes.  The ambiance today was much different that during The Cell last night, as the old people were out again in full force.  I excitedly waited in my seat while Chaz Ebert and Richard Corliss from TIME Magazine introduced the film.  Chaz then exclaimed, “I’m off to see my man!” and exited the theater, bringing this year’s bittersweet Ebertfest to a close.
The film was great.  Funny, moving, and catchy, with actress Aida Turturro and choreographer Tricia Brouk answering questions immediately following the screening.  The mood throughout the day was all about family, both with the film’s narrative structure, and the way that Ms. Turturro spoke of her cousin, director John Turturro, and the way that the film is loosely based on his life.
Plus, I got to talk to Aida Turturro about one of my favorite guilty pleasure films:  Deep Blue Sea.  When I asked her if she was bummed that her character was blown up and not eaten by sharks in Deep Blue Sea, she responded, “Haha!  I was in Mexico, drinking and laying on the beach…I didn’t give a shit!”  It was at this moment that I fell in love with Aida Turturro.  

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