In Nick Katsapetses' second feature film, three couples film their lives together as part of a filmmaker's master's thesis project, and as is often the case, the camera does not capture them on a good day. Gray and Daniel (Steven Sorensen and Matthew Rozen) are only a few days away from their commitment ceremony, but their relationship seems ready to crash and burn at any moment, largely thanks to Daniel's constant infidelity. Carrie (Carrie Morgan), on the other hand, no sooner turns on the camera than she's dumped by her girlfriend. Her return to single life and her less than cordial encounters with her ex don't go especially well. There is a third couple, who are happy together -- except no one can stand them. Shot in 16 mm for a mere $10,000, The Joys of Smoking received enthusiastic notice when it was screened at the 1999 San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide