Movies-TV

Just about the most fun of any Altman film.

Frankly, I'm a sucker for the "eccentrics-in-a-small-town" school of filmmaking, and "Cookie's Fortune" is one of the very best of that genre. Some reviewers have taken this film as a slur on Southerners, but I don't take the characters in "Cookie's Fortune" as real Southerners. They're characters of classic farce, with the central character a bossy, self-dramatizing fussbudget who tries to control everyone's life and ends up paying the piper for her presumption. Not for nothing is she named Camille! Camille, played by Glenn Close, starts the whole plot going by trying to cover up her aunt's suicide, thinking it shameful that anyone in HER family would dare to show such weakness. Her actions in turn uncover a whole raft of small-town secrets, including one of her own. Close is hilariously over the top as Camille, and the rest of the huge, illustrious cast matches her. It's lovely to see Patricia Neal, who plays the Cookie of the title, again after so many years, and Charles S. Dutton is a total delight as Willis, Cookie's caretaker/best friend. Julianne Moore, Ned Beatty, Liv Tyler, Chris O'Donnell, Courtney B. Vance, Lyle Lovett, Donald Moffat--all and many others add something charming and distinctive to this genial, refreshing film. This isn't Robert Altman's deepest film, but it's the most fun of any Altman film between "M*A*S*H" and "Gosford Park." Anyone who liked "Local Hero," "Waking Ned Devine" or "Northern Exposure" will like "Cookie's Fortune."

Poorly executed

This one might have passed on its story -- handled properly, it might have had some charm -- but Altman misfires, and badly. It is well known that he lets the actors have free reign, and in this case, that's not for the best: Glenn Close has found interesting mannerisms, but her performance is over the top; Patricia Neal and Charles Dutton work together as if they were onstage somewhere, and Every Line Is Pregnant. Lyle Lovett is awful -- why does Altman continue to hire him? He only worked in THE PLAYER, and that was just at times.The camerawork here is shoddy, and some scenes are staged as badly as a high school play. Other times, a camera cuts quickly to an inappropriate close-up, giving a weak line (or line reading) too much weight for its own good.Liv Tyler, however, does very well. The one moment of authenticity throughout the film is the scene with Dutton on the police station's stairs. Something very real happens here, and it makes the viewer long for when an entire Altman movie hit such emotional honesty -- McCABE AND MRS. MILLER, NASHVILLE, even THE LONG GOODBYE. Sorry. This film is as fake as the stupid bit Tyler's character has to do with her truck -- parking on the sidewalk, getting a ticket, crumpling it. Hogwash.

Entertainingly Quirky

Cookie's Fortune - is definitely not a movie for everyone. But I loved it. This is NOT a fast-paced, noisey movie with tons of special effects. If you're looking for ACTION ... look elsewhere.

What this movie is ... a quietly quirky movie that captured my attention from the beginning. The movie focuses on the rather odd relationships of the characters (most were relatives) in a small "Nothing Ever Happened Here" town in the South. The soundtrack is awesome and fits the look of the movie perfectly.

The movie did leave me wanting to know more about the history & stories behind the characters. I was hoping the movie was based on a book, where I could learn more about each of the main characters, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

You would probably like "Cookie's Fortune" if you liked: "Fried Green Tomatoes" , "The Spitfire Grill", or even "Steele Magnolias". I suspect it falls under the category of a Chic-Flick.

Enjoy!

Are you kidding me?

Robert Altman really ticks me off. He makes so many great movies that are either truly innovative or impressive for what you think he was trying to do, and lately it seems like he's taking on assignments just to pay his rent. This movie is so strictly formulaic, that's the only explanation I can think of as to why he did it.

The acting is mostly good, with Patricia Neal and Charles S. Dutton giving their usual fine performances. Most of the others were okay, but the parts played by Chris O'Donnell, Liv Tyler, and Julianne Moore could have been played by just about anybody with probably little difference. What bothered me the most had to have been Glenn Close. Either the experience of playing Norma Desmond on Broadway and Cruella DeVille has gone to her head or there was a reason she was cast in those roles. I'm hoping it's the former and she's not just being typecast, but you have to wonder.

Generally a very disappointing movie.

"Fortune"ate choice at the Video Store

I stumbled onto this one (drawn in by the favorable Roger Ebert comment on the cover and its list of actors). I loved the heart and soul of this movie. Its slow moving but well performed script had me looking forward to more information about each of the characters as they were introduced. What character development! What characters! This is a gem. It's going on my Christmas list, then my Birthday list and if I haven't got it free by February, I'll fork out the doe myself. Ned Beatty, as always, performs flawless "small town sheriff" while most lovable goes to Charles Dutton. Liv Tyler "unelfed" is such a darling. Glenn Close (not one of my favorite actresses) is a loose nut gone a bit too far from the jar but remains innocently (by reason of insanity) guilty to the end. No high tech enhancements, evil plots, impossibly beautiful/moral/gifted heroes/heroines nor ridiculous action scenes. This story is a gift to those of us who would just like to view decent folk muddling their way through life with humor, intelligence and generous acceptance of each others foibles. No perfection required, no prejudices, no morality debates, let's just live life as best we can without hurting others if at all possible. Thank you, Anne Rapp (Writer) and Robert Altman (Producer/Director).

Altman Does Americana Again...This Time Even Funnier Than Usual...

Robert Altman is the king of all filmmakers in two regards: 1 being hisability to cast anyone he wants in a picture, and 2, his keen eye and skill at putting together a carousel of characters, situations, and dialogue that uniquely captures a piece of the American way. Just see NASHVILLE, his 1976 masterpiece about mayhem in the heartland and the overwhelming political element in this country (even in the country singing capital of the world).COOKIE'S FORTUNE is Altman at his simplistic best, light years from the ferocity of THE PLAYER and still as fresh and innovative as his first classic, M*A*S*H.Glenn Close delivers a Gloria Swanson-like portrayal of a demented southern belle whose bell seems to have rung one too many times. Her performance is over-the-top but effective. The "fortune" of the film's title is not exactly what you'd might expect if you know COOKIE'S FORTUNE's premise, however Close keeps the viewer thinking maybe she knows something we do not.The fact that she eats a certain note is stunningly hilarious.The rest of the cast is great. Ned Beatty talks about fishing as if it was a form of breathing for him and he never strays away from this simple-mindedness. Neither do any of the less-than-brilliant characters. Charles Dutton is the dramatic centerpiece and pillar who exists at the most important points of this charade Altman is depicting. He and Liv Tyler have some nice moments together. Racial harmony is even touched upon with Dutton's conflict and is integral at tying the film's sometimes loose ends together (at times you remain confused as to who is Cookie's daughter or daughters and whether or not Tyler is the granddaughter).Keep an eye out for Chris O'Donnel's best performance in years, however brief it is. His simple police officer brought me to laughter many times, partly because O'Donnel is masterfully overplaying him. That is the point.There are many motiffs surrounding the goofy citizens of this small town (police tape, open glass doors with guns behind them), but the film is indeed as simple as it appears which is good. Altman still employs the overlapping dialogue and scenery he so expertly displayed in SHORT CUTS and THE PLAYER. See the film for an entertaining romp with a glint of American commentary that is enough to make COOKIE'S FORTUNE both important and delightful.

Don't Let This One Escape Your Notice

If you're tired of all frosting and no cake, here's one you can sink your teeth into and satisfy your cravings. The writing, the directing, and the acting are wonderful and the characterization of certain Southerners is right on the money. They'll feel like people you've known well for years. The first ten minutes is a little slow while the pieces come together, but it doesn't take long before you're hooked. Wherever you're from, if you liked or related to the kinds of folks portrayed in Brighton Beach Memoirs, A Trip to Bountiful, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Jean Shepherd's Christmas Story, then this one's for you--but an entirely new story!

Cookies Fortune

I loved this movie! This film was full of unexpected surprise's and alot of laughts!

Glen Close does a wonderful job in this film, as well as Julianne Moore, Liv, and Robert Altman!

Makes one want to move to some small town in Missouri just to live this "crazy" experience!

It's a keeper!

A Completely Useless Movie

"Cookie's Fortune" is perhaps the most inane and useless movies I have ever watched. Definitely NOT a watershed event in cinematographic history. On the CZTV website, 21 percent of viewers rated it as "waste of time" whereas 72 percent rated it as "excellent," with almost nothing in between. I don't get it. Do YOU get it? I certainly don't get it. Had this film not have had Liv Tyler in it, I don't think I would have watched it to its pathetic and boring finale. Definitely a lot of material for a future episode of MST3K here. I mean, it takes just as much time/effort/money/etc. to make a good movie as it does to make a movie like this, so why did they even bother producing it? I guess CZTV doesn't have a whole lot of money to buy any good films, so all we get here are reruns of Dallas, and garbage like this. Possibly the only good thing I have to say about this movie is the fact that it doesn't copy the standardised model of most American movies. No helicopters, no explosions, no car chases, and no unrealistically exaggerated characters. In fact, the characters were all too ordinary. Even a video of some guy playing chess on his computer would have been more fascinating than this movie. It definitely has its own genre: Useless. I mean, even my writing this comment is a useless waste of time.

A nice movie, from a stylish director

A nice movie, from a stylish director. Delightful rendering of the atmosphere in a small southern town. Characters are exaggerated in a theatrical manner, but it works on the purpose of the story.It may be a low budget film, but Altman has invested a lot of good taste and talent.

Dark Southern Fun *spoilers, sorry*

Cookie's Fortune is a very dark comedy mistakenly billed as a drama bordering on a whodunit. It's got Julianne Moore, who as always is outstanding (she's the reason I picked the film, although I had heard of it before because it's the one that made Liv Tyler cut off all her hair a while back), Glenn Close, who has a memorable part as a kind of a Cruella DeVille meets Scarlett O'Hara, Liv Tyler, who is in an out-there cute bad girl role which is delightful, Ned Beatty, Chris O'Donnell (another great performance, and I'm not what you'd call the biggest Chris O'Donnell fan in the world), Charles S. Dutton, Lyle Lovett as a sleazy fisherman, the guy who played the pedophiliac beauty pageant judge in Drop Dead Gorgeous, the guy who plays the senile ex-lawyer on The Practice... Excellent ensemble cast, and they really make the movie. See, the whole story revolves around the characters in a small Mississippi town, and it wouldn't work if you didn't feel like you know what it's like to live in the town, but the familiar cast really helps with that. Plot-wise, it's about a woman named Cookie who commits suicide, but as her sister Glenn Close says, "Only crazy people kill themselves." In an effort to salvage her family's reputation, Glenn Close gets her mentally challenged but adorable sister Julianne Moore to help her fake a robbery/murder, and the movie revolves around the investigation of this crime and how all the characters react. But what really makes it work are all the small touches, the little things people do, like having a candle-lit dinner in a jail cell or hogging the bedside electric fan (you'd have to see it to really understand). This may not mean much to most people, but in one scene, Julianne Moore looks out a window and points out a Magnolia tree, and I absolutely freaked out (I became a rabid Julianne Moore fan because of her performance in Magnolia). It was a very cool moment.
Anyway, I give the movie an 8. Not exactly ground-breaking and unforgettable, and it's got some really unnecessary but harmless plot twists towards the end, but it's lots of fun throughout.

Good solid laided-back southern fun!

Robert Altman's "Cookie's Fortune" is a funny, witty and sardonic look at Southern America. Liv Tyler and Glen Close shine in this story of an aging widow, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, and life.Ned Beatty is the real star of this movie as an old deputy with his one-line explanation of innocent. Chris O'Donnell as the blundering deputy who loves Liv's character, is hilarious and lucky.If your tired of movies that leave you feeling cheated, then this is your winning ticket.

A nice place to visit...

What would it have been like had Tennessee Williams -- for some unfathomable reason -- been hired to write a script for "The Andy Griffith Show?" This is hardly a pressing question for either amusement or intellectual debate, but the answer would surely be something very much like Robert Altman's COOKIE'S FORTUNE. This is undoubtedly Altman's most accessible and likable effort. It is set in Holly Springs, Mississippi, but it could just as easily be Mayberry, North Carolina. Both are in a fantasy world just north of Sitcomville and across the ridge from Capratown. In Altman fashion, Holly Springs is populated with variety of oddball folk, but in contradiction to Altman tradition, they mostly tend to be free of cynicism and malice. Andy, Opie, Barney and Aunt Bee would feel right at home. Indeed, there is even a town jail where the cell doors are left unlocked, all the better to allow visitors to come and go as they please. The hypothetical contribution by Tennessee Williams is nonetheless apparent as well. There is a murder mystery, a suicide, a bit of gore, a dash of sex, some racial consciousness and Glenn Close, whose character might be a second cousin to Blanche DuBois. But these elements of dark and twisted madness aren't all that removed from the cheerful eccentricity that is a trademark of fictional smalltown America. As such, COOKIE'S FORTUNE falls somewhere between SHADOW OF DOUBT and THE GHOST AND MR. CHICKEN in its representation of bucolic life; there is a cheerful silliness to the characters, but tragedy darkens the edges just a tad. No one would ever accuse Altman of being the sentimental type. His screen career has consisted largely of taking pot shots at the American landscape, aiming to reveal hypocrisy behind everything from patriotism to idealism, with his preferred vehicle of deconstruction being the conventions of various movie genres. He has taken a wrecking ball to everything from the backstage musical to film noir to westerns to sci-fi. Yet he approaches the Capraesque vision of smalltown American with a gentle good humor, refraining from indulging in either parody or satire. COOKIES FORTUNE is probably the only Altman film where the characters are characters, i.e., loopy individuals, not archetypes to be debunked or mocked. I'm an admirer of Altman's films, but I have to admit that I am hard pressed to think of any other instance where I felt actual affection for any of his characters.Alas, Altman's visit to Holly Springs is no doubt a side trip in the director's journey from one "important" film to the next. A chance to stretch his legs a bit before getting back to the serious business of showing how corrupt the world is. That's a shame, because Holly Springs is a right nice little place to visit.

Strike it rich!

Robert Altman's films are always a gamble. Either you get the focused Altman of `The Player', `M.A.S.H', or `Short Cuts', or you get the dreadful Altman of `Ready To Wear' and `Kansas City'. What `Cookie's Fortune' reveals is a kind-hearted Altman. An Altman who wants to be a little silly and yet shows us his typical array of colorful characters. As with all the director's films, it's the actors that sell the movie best. Like the aforementioned Andy Garcia, Charles Dutton is another actor of far-reaching talent that keeps picking crap to spend it in. With `Cookie', Dutton is used perfectly. He brings a sweetness and gentle charm to the role, and with co-star Liv Tyler (also as good) the two share the best moments of the film. Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Ned Beatty (who is hysterical), and - God help me - Chris O'Donnell all make such a wonderful collection of performances. I really enjoyed just watching these people.When the story kicks up, my interest waned a bit. The end of the movie is this mosh pit of names being thrown around, it is all very disorienting. It's mutes the film's final impact, which up till then was fairly solid. Basically it was just neat to sit and watch this simple story unfold in a wonderful location, and with a ensemble that knows how to have a little fun. After `Gingerbread Man' I was a bit worried that Altman was going to become a parody of himself. But if this is the new Robert Altman, I welcome the change.------------ 8

Altman Takes on Small Town Eccentrics with Lovely Soundtrack

"Cookie's Fortune" has Robert Altman's patented esprit de corps with ensembles, here representing the intimacy of small town eccentrics, with somewhat amusing intricacies of lies and misunderstandings. The young folks' parts are underwritten so Chris O'Donnell simply doesn't have a lot to do, though Liv Tyler breathes life into her role.Rufus Thomas has an entertaining bit part. Lyle Lovett's role is a charming bit, less lines but more character substance than O'Donnell's.There is wonderful original blues music throughout, with guitar work by The Edge of U2.(originally written 5/9/1999)

not altmans' usual...

i have seen all of altman's other films and found them excellent..until now... there was some really good acting(glenn close playing her usual psycho!), patricia neal..who i was happily suprised to see.. and charles dutton was really good..liv tyler should take some more acting lessons and chris odonnell too... it was a hard story to get into to but i did like the ending, it was very appropriate... not a great movie, but okay....

Nicely directed, filmed and acted, with unfortunate humorous touches

Given the story-line of this piece, I thought some of the humorous touches were just slightly out of place and is my only complaint. Otherwise this is a neat little piece, with evident hallmarks of teleseries-style in the making of it. The first part of the film especially was excellent as the background and personalities were being established, and the development of characterisation showed good directing. Worthy performances by Glenn Close (however could it be otherwise….?), Julianne Moore and Lyv Tyler, as also Charles Dutton as the lovable fellow he is, and Patricia Neal was natural, real, in her playing of 'Cookie'. Chris O'Donnell unfortunately did not have to do much to earn his pay-check, which was a pity. You really should see him with Al Pacino in 'Scent of a Woman' (qv), without a doubt one of the best character-driven US films of the last ten years or so.David Stewart's music is very reminiscent of something else but cannot place where, and together with the humorous touches, somewhat suggestful of a kind of attitude belittling country folk lost out there in the middle of the flatlands ...…...…… which I doubt very much was the intention of either Altman or Stewart. The photography is really good.Despite certain reservations, the film is entertaining and has really excellent moments, but I cannot give it more than a 6 out of 10. If some of the unnecessary humorous touches had been left out or made a little more in keeping with the proceedings, my vote may well have been a resounding 8+. Take it or leave it: but even I have my little obsessive foibles from time to time. All that said: please do not go away to some other channel: the film is worth watching, seriously.

Another All-Star Cast and Quality Film From Robert Altman

Once again, Robert Altman has succeeded in providing an all-star cast the opportunity to freely explore their characters, thus creating a believable Southern small-town setting in his most recent film, "Cookie's Fortune." His truly respected directing techniques proved to be extremely successful in this new serio-comic mystery. Undoubtedly his strongest performance ever, Charles Dutton(Willis) perfectly portrays the gentle, Wild Turkey swiggin' companion to the magnificent Patricia Neal(Cookie), a matronly, pipe-smoking widow. As these two convincingly illustrate their memorable friendship, the viewer could quite possibly yearn for what they share on screen. Furthermore, the various other characters within the story are also well established, because the individual actors clearly illustrate their intentions. Glenn Close(Camille) truly taunts the audience with a combination of cold-hearted lunacy and desperate behavior, while Julianne Moore(Cora) becomes strangely appealing as her mentally challenged sister. Without the significant performances featuring talents Liv Tyler, Chris O'Donnell, Ned Beatty, Lyle Lovett,and many more, "Cookie's Fortune" would remain boring and undeveloped. Instead, these actors shine under the direction of Altman. While the audience perspectives change, they are easily influenced by the camera as it glides, twists, and changes levels. In particular, these drawn-out "Peeping Tom" shots successfully isolate the characters at their most vulnerable moments, building suspense from beginning to end. Probably one of Robert Altman's smartest accomplishments up to date, the film "Cookie's Fortune" is fresh and original, yet maintains the craftsmanship of a classic.

An effective, affecting little movie.

There is perhaps too much information available on the nuts and bolts of this movie and I am glad that I managed to shield myself from it by steering clear of the multitude's reviews and comments. However, the movie does not draw strength from plot development, though it is used expertly to tug at you emotionally. Its real power is in subtle characterisation (with the exception of Glenn Close's journey over the top) and simple fine cinematography.This movie has so many superb nuances and such respect for its audience that you cannot fail to enjoy it, knowing that it is a warm and comfortable film. Being English, I wouldn't like to comment on what seems like stereotyping, or even a lack of respect for, those living in the South, but this seems to be the only failing. Its comedy is light, acting exceptional and it doesn't, where so many movies might, try to ensnare you into cheap emotional responses to simplified political ideas. A great film for just making you feel good, without being too tediously "feelgood".

A comedy that deserves to be seen

Ever since I've seen "Gosford Park" I'm convinced that Robert Altman has some real talent. The only Altman movie that I had seen before that one was "Prêt-à-Porter", at least a part of it, but enough to know that I didn't like it. So when I got the chance to see this movie with the interesting title "Cookie's Fortune", I gave it a try. I thought that this would be a comedy about a Chinese restaurant or something (The only thing that I knew before taping it, was that it was a comedy from Robert Altman, that's where my confusion comes from). It had nothing to do with what I thought, but I liked it nevertheless...Jewel Mae "Cookie" Orcutt is an older lady who lives in a small town, called Holly Springs. All the residents are peaceful, kind folk, except for her niece Camille Dixon. Cookie is a widow for several years now, but she isn't alone. Willis Richland does all her shopping and helps her wherever he can. But she is tired of living without her husband and she wants to die. She commits suicide, but when the irritating and pushy Camille discovers what her aunt has done, she decides to cover up the real story, convinced that this will have a bad influence on the good family name. Together with her shy younger sister Cora, whose estranged daughter Emma as just returned to town, she tries to make it all look like a robbery and murder. To do so, she eats the suicide note, hides the gun in the bushes and shatters some windows. The police is convinced that the murder story is true and they start looking for a suspect, Willis. Although the rest of the town is convinced Willis didn't commit the crime, an outside investigator isn't so sure. But as the truth comes out, more secrets are revealed than everybody thought existed in this quiet town...I guess it's the combination of the rather naive looking people in the town, the nice story and the fine acting that makes this movie work. Of course you expect to see some nice performances from people like Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler,... but in my opinion it was Charles S. Dutton who was the most surprising of them all. He has already played some minor roles in well known movies like "Alien³" and "Se7en", but it was the first time that I saw him in major role and I must say that I liked it.Overall, this may not be the most original movie, but it is a nice comedy and I had some good laughs with it. Sure, it is a bit stereotypical, but that's not bad. It's a comedy and well-used stereotypes are always funny to watch. Add to this some fine acting and a nice story and what you get is a comedy that certainly deserves to be seen. I give it a 7/10.