Cookie's Fortune

Rating:
Summary: I was suckered.
Review: I don't think I've ever been suckered by critics as I was with COOKIE'S FORTUNE. The "L.A. Times" and "The Wall Street Journal" gave this movie flat-out raves, and it is BORING. This movie is dull, dull, dull. The scenes are long, the camera, instead of cutting from one actor to another, will WANDER leisurely from one actor's face, to another's, so you get a great, long view of the wall paper in between. There was no urgency, nor any pleasantly slow pacing (as in "A ROOM WITH A VIEW.") I couldn't wait for this movie to end. If I had been in the theater alone, instead of with a companion, I would have walked out. Robert Altman is a critic's darling, and they gave him raves he didn't deserve on this one, because he's so much their darling. The only reason I'm not giving the movie one star, is it is not without intelligence. If you want a quirky, humorous, eccentric Southern piece like this, that is actually good, read Truman Capote's novella THE GRASS HARP. (But don't see the movie version of HARP, it's even worse than COOKIE'S FORTUNE!)

Rating:
Summary: Early Oscar contender!
Review: By far the best film I have seen this year. Sure, there's been some flashy fun stuff like The Matrix and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. And there's been some more subtle art-houst films like Run Lola Run and The Winslow Boy. But Cookie's Fortune has it all: rich plot, a dozen beautifully written and acted characters, and a climax to die for. And: It's the best thing Altman's done since Short Cuts!

Rating:
Summary: not altmans' usual...
Review: 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....

Rating:
Summary: "Quirky"
Review: This movie was certainly different, quirky describes it best. It was a nice surprise to see Patricia Neal. Charles S. Dutton played his role well. Julianne Moore played a character that was hard to get attached to. Live Tyler did an excellent job with her role. The storyline was a little hard to hold onto. Not as interesting as I would have liked. It was different, for sure.

Rating:
Summary: One of Altman's best!
Review: If you like loud movies' with lots of special effect that merely mask the fact that they have no plot and the actors can't act, you'll want to take a pass on "Cookie's Fortune." If, however, you preference is for movies with great writing and acting, then you'll want to see "Cookie's Fortune" to be sure.

Yes, it is paced at a leisurely rate, but the plot and characters are so endearing and so quirky that once things do get going this is a decided plus. Glenn Close, Charles S. Dutton, Patricia Neal, Julianne Moore and Ned Beatty are all top notch (no surprise really) in their roles in this superb ensemble piece, and while Liv Tyler and Chris O'Donnell are perhaps miscast in their roles (and a subplot involving their affair is not necessary) these are only minor quibbles. Great bluesy score by Dave Stewart adds to the mix.

All and all one of the best films of 1999. Too bad it played in theaters to early in the year for the Oscars to remember it.

Rating:
Summary: A sweet film from an American master
Review: A necessary corrective to the female relative who at any cost must keep up appearances, this film by Mr Altman sees him in fine form exploring small town society in the Deep South. A humane, wise film, with great acting by all concerned and some great lines " How do you know he didn't kill her?" asks the District Attorney, "We go fishing" replies the Deputy Sherriff.

Rating:
Summary: Made for the Stage
Review: I enjoyed this movie, but thought it'd make a better play. >you need to go rent and watch this movie (cookie's fortune).

the rest of this is spoilers .. dont read til you've seen it:

the first act ends right after they find the body and willis walks in. the second act (a little longer, without editing) starts with willis sitting on his bed holding the bag of groceries and the cop walks in. dr. cummings could play the one attorney in town. there are only nine or so parts (cookie, willis, emma, cora, cora's sister, jason, the attorney, the investigator, and the sheriff). there are several things that make it a great play, including the dialogue, play-within-a-play, and some key devices. (the shattering glass bowl is a great scene ender, esp if done off-stage). and the action takes place in only a few areas: the first act is mostly the bedroom/stairway/kitchen/yard, with a bit at the church and a bit at the bar. the second act is mostly in the jail, with a bit at the bar and a bit at the house. you could edit out several parts, and possibly several scenes.

it's funny, but a bit dark, and a bit of drama and a bit of sadness. ... yadda yadda... good stuff!

Rating:
Summary: "Fortune"ate choice at the Video Store
Review: 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).