1999, 1 hr 39 min., Rated R for strong language and sexual content. Dir: Risa Bramon Garcia. Cast: Courtney Love, Paul Rudd, Martha Plimpton, Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Janeane Garofalo, Gaby Hoffmann, Jay Mohr.

Went to see with my siblings, Stacy, Stephanie and Scott, because the sisters wanted to, but in the end we should have stayed at Scott's apartment and played Star Wars monopoly. The Internet Movie Database describes 200 Cigarettes as "A collection of twentysomethings try to cope with relationships, loneliness, desire and their individual neuroses." Yes, but in a bad way.

The film involves 200 cigarettes, some 200 supposed new hot talents, and 97 minutes of a movie that seems like 200. All of which takes place on New Year's Eve, 1981.

Apparently, 1981 was full of free sex with multiple partners (the tail end of the sexual revolution), language that would make a sailor embarrassed, ugly clothing and hairstyles, more smoking than the chimney sweeper scene from Mary Poppins and everyone is an artist. But it's good to know that not every New Yorker goes to Time Square for the countdown. Of course, I wondered why no one ever even mentioned the fact that a million people were at Times Square, even if just in reference to where a friend might be instead of the party.

Ultimately, if I want to see a good ensemble young cast with great dialogue, I'll see Diner or American Graffiti.

The main players:

Courtney Love is an attractive woman and if she wanted to could be a classy actress, if she didn't always go out of her way to be unkempt and skanky. Sorry, but I'm old-fashioned and appreciate innocence.

Speaking of innocence, Kate Hudson is just plain adorable. She has a decent future in Hollywood, but needs to drop the physical stuff if she wants respect, because it's annoying and unnecessary. Hudson doesn't need to be like her mother (Goldie Hawn) in every way.

Is anyone happy in 200 Cigarettes? No! They're all miserable, led by the king of misery, played by Paul Rudd. He and Jeneane Garofalo recently went splitsville, and we get to hear every moan and complaint from Rudd. Equally annoying is the British artist who is bad in bed. Yadda yadda yadda, who cares.

Martha Plimpton is growing on me. Of course, I only remember seeing her in one other movie, Goonies. But she played essentially the same character, which is one nervous tick from being a female Woody Allen.

Christina Ricci is okay, but I'll give her a free "Get out of Jeff's Abuse Jail" free card. Gaby Hoffmann, however, as Ricci's friend is given no such free walk. I hated her! How annoying can anyone get? She beats that. Her whining was only made worse from the over-the-top Long Island-princess accent. Worse, she had a lot of screen time, more than Ricci, that had me wanting someone to hit her over the head to shut up.

The best character was Ben Affleck, as the bartender who is passed around by women looking for a date. He's the best because he doesn't have much to do, and isn't depressing. Which is not the best way to crown a winner.