Cookie's Fortune
Cast :Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler, Chris O'Donnell, Charles S. Dutton, Patricia Neal
Director :Robert Altman
Studio :Usa Films
Format :Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby
Released Date :April 02, 1999
DVD Released Date :May 01, 2001
Language :French (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), English (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled)
Audience Rating :PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
 BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON

Customer Reviews
Rating
DateJuly 11, 2005
SummaryStay the course of this gem
Content
Okay, we saw some people do some things, and saw diferent people doing different things, and, well, it's Robert Altman . . . And I apologized to my husband, who is NOT a film buff. Then the delicious connections appear, a fascinating small Southern town with characters who are real, not contrivances. Watch for the Willis-Cookie exchange, the mother-daughter-aunt exchange, see the sheriff's character evaluation. Marvelous cast filling interesting characters speaking interesting dialogue. And when you've viewed, watch it again for all the subtlities. Treat yourself! You're worth it!

Rating
DateAugust 05, 2004
SummaryA sweet film from an American master
Content
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
DateDecember 18, 2003
SummaryTOOKIT!
Content
This just has to be said:
Robert Altman's Cookie's Fortune may very well one of the greatest films ever made. I kid you not! Well. At least one of the finest films of the past decade.
When you watch this film you are viewing the work of a director that is so sure of himself and his abilities and the story that he just sort of let's it happen. It's truly amazing when it hits you. This film plays effortlessly. Like a Mozart composition.
Unpretentious. Deliberate and confident. No single performance stands out or hogs the spotlight. And Altman's cast is top-notch from critic darlings like Glenn Close to fantastic character actors like THE ROCK!
You might not catch it the first time you see it. But. Watch it a few times. Then it'll hit ya!

Rating
DateSeptember 19, 2003
SummaryAltman, Great Ensemble, and Catfish Enchiladas...
Content
This review refers to the DVD edition of "Cookie's Fortune"....

Glenn Close literally gets caught with her hand in the cookie jar in one of Robert Altman's all star,delightful comedies. It also stars Julianne Moore,Liv Tyler, Chris O'Donnell, Charles S.Dutton, Ned Beatty,Courtney Vance, Lyle Lovett,Donald Moffat and screen legend Patricia Neal as "Cookie"....what an ensemble! These great stars work beautifully together, and their comic timing is brillant.

The story starts out at a leisurely pace that gives you the perfect feel of Holly Springs, Mississippi, a small, slow-paced,antebellum town where everyone knows everyone. Then BANG..the little town is shaken up by the death of it's matriach, Jewel May "Cookie" Orcutt, and everyone gets involved with the murder investagation....but wait...was this actually a murder? Someone is sure trying to make it look that way! And uh-oh... the wrong man has been arrested and the police chief is out to prove his innocence. How does he know he's innocent...well..he fishes with him, of course!

Altman's superb direction,the wonderful twists and turns, the great camera work, the music, the terrific story and of course the fabulous ensemble make for a very entertaining 2 hours. You'll want to watch it over and over.

The DVD is a beautiful transfer. You have the choice of widescreen or full screen. The picture is clear and bright with great color. The sound offers the choice of Dolby 5.1 or stereo surround and is excellent. There are closed captions(English) and subtitles in Spanish and French. It includes cast bios and filmographies, and the theatrical trailer. You have the option of listening to the director commentary during the film as well.

So spend some time behind bars in Holly Springs, with Charles Dutton and Liv Tyler. Don't worry it's fun behind these bars..they never lock the bars, and you get to play scrabble and have some great meals! We are serving our famous "catfish enchildas" today!

Have fun with this one.....Laurie


Rating
DateSeptember 03, 2003
SummaryMade for the Stage
Content
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!

SuperiorPics.com © 2009