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Cookie's Fortune
on DVD (1999)
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| Starring: |
Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler, Chris O'Donnell, Charles S. Dutton, Patricia Neal, Ned Beatty, Lyle Lovett, Courtney B. Vance, Donald Moffat, Randle Mell, Rufus Thomas, Danny Darst |
| Director: |
Robert Altman |
| Studio: |
MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Run time: |
118 mins |
| Certificate: |
 |
| User collections: |
The (in)complete Robert Altman |
| Genres: |
Comedy |
| Languages: |
English |
| Dubbed: |
German |
| Subtitles: |
English, German |
| Released: |
25/03/2002
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Brief synopsis of Cookie's Fortune
Robert Altman revisits the lighthearted territory of his 1970s comedies BREWSTER MCCLOUD and A WEDDING and once again comes out a rousing success. This time, a tightly wound narrative by first-time screenwriter Anne Rapp keeps the laughs rolling as the story unfolds over an eventful Easter weekend in the small town of Holly Springs, Mississippi. The town residents are peaceful, kind folk--with the exception of Camille Dixon (Glenn Close)--a pushy theatre director with an incredibly shy younger sister, Cora (Julianne Moore), whose estranged daughter Emma (Liv Tyler) has just returned to town. On the heels of her latest play, Camille is shocked to discover that her Aunt Jewel Mae "Cookie" Orcutt (Patricia Neal) has committed suicide. Terrified at the thought of how this will tarnish the family name, she eats the suicide note to make it look like a burglary. This set-up leads the police to one main suspect, Willis Richland (Charles S. Dutton), who also happens to be Cookie's best friend. Although the rest of the town is convinced Willis didn't commit the crime, an outside investigator (Courtney B. Vance) isn't so sure. As Easter Sunday and opening night of the play arrive, the truth comes out, revealing more secrets than anyone could have possibly imagined. Director Altman tells his story at a leisurely pace, beautifully recreating the eccentricities of small town life in this sweet-natured tale.
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Related
Critics Reviews
Radio Times
Director Robert Altman has a bizarre collection of hits and misses in his oeuvre, which ranges from the brilliance of The Player and Short Cuts to the mishmash of Prêt-à-Porter. Cookie's Fortune falls somewhere in the middle. This ensemble piece finds Glenn Close and Julianne Moore hamming it up as two sisters trying to cover up the “disgraceful” suicide of ageing relative Cookie, while simultaneously attempting to inherit her worldly goods. Cookie's more worthy heirs, rebel Liv Tyler and long standing handyman Charles S Dutton, cotton on to their strange shenanigans and, in an atmosphere of Deep South crawfish and jazz, justice is done. There are nice, gentle moments, comedic moments even, but the film stretches as sluggishly as a muggy afternoon. Not one of Altman's best.
New York Times
"The sweet assurance and guerilla wit of Robert Altman's vintage ensemble films makes a serenely captivating return with COOKIE'S FORTUNE..."
Time Out
Holly Springs, Mississippi. Snooty aesthete Camille (Close) is off to rehearse her Easter am-dram production of Wilde's...
Read more on www.timeout.com
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