Cookie's Fortune

Shown: 16 October 2000

USA 1999
118 minutes
Directed by Robert Altman
Leading players - Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Charles S. Dutton

Synopsis

Set in Holly Springs, Mississippi at Easter, the story centres around Cookie (Patricia Neal), a rich widow who smokes a pipe and does crossword puzzles with her friendly caretaker, Willis Richland (Charles S. Dutton). Worried about her failing health and missing her late husband Cookie commits suicide, to the horror of her self-important niece, Camille (Glenn Close) who is producing Oscar Wilde's Salome. Camille, with the reluctant help of her dim sister, Cora (Julienne Moore), tries to disguise the suicide as a break-in and murder. This leads to the arrest of Willis, but although Camille is upset by this development she will not admit what she has done. No one believes Willis is guilty, even the sheriff says he is innocent 'because he has fished with him' but the law has to take its course.

This is a typical Altman film, surprisingly mellow, full of atmosphere and quirky characters, with a strong sense of community. Holly Springs is a town where everyone knows everybody else and they all like each other. A film with a lot of laughs and smiles. Close expertly brings out the small-town snobbery of her character with her fine sense of comic timing. Julianne Moore has an extremely funny scene where she is describing a crime scene to the police over the telephone and can only do so in the Wildean phrasing and rhythm of the play she is acting in. There are also fine performances from Chris O'Donnell as deputy sheriff and from Liv Tyler as Cora's daughter, Emma. But primarily this is an example of ensemble playing at its finest. Although not classic Altman, this film will please anyone who appreciates the many varied quirks of human nature.