Cookie (film)

Last updated

Cookie
Cookieposter.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Susan Seidelman
Written by
Produced by Laurence Mark
Starring
Cinematography Oliver Stapleton
Edited by Andrew Mondshein
Music by Thomas Newman
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date
  • August 23, 1989 (1989-08-23)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1 million

Cookie is a 1989 American crime comedy film directed by Susan Seidelman and starring Peter Falk, Emily Lloyd, and Dianne Wiest, with Michael V. Gazzo, Brenda Vaccaro, Adrian Pasdar, and Jerry Lewis. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Plot

Night beside the Brooklyn Bridge. A man, seen only from the back, walks to a huge stretch limo and gets in. It explodes. The view through binoculars morphs into the title “cookie” and then to a tabloid headline “Dapper Dino dead”. At the funeral, the camera focuses on an elegantly dressed woman veiled in black. A flashback to “A few months earlier” shows the same person—Cookie Voltecki, dressed in an outfit that was rebellious in 1989, and her friend Pia, walking through a street fair. They jump the turnstiles at a public transit station and resist arrest. In court, Henry Solomon, a lawyer unknown to Cookie but familiar to the judge, rushes in, gets her released on her own recognizance and hustles her to a waiting limo for the long drive to meet her father. Her father is Dapper Dino Capisco, about be paroled after serving thirteen years of his sentence. He is disgusted with her gum-chewing, wise-cracking behavior and the way she has been worrying her mother—and he is worried about his parole.

Back in the city, we learn her mother and Dino were not married. To straighten Cookie out, Dino sends her to work with his partner Carmine, on 7th avenue.

Dino is paroled. His annoying wife, Bunny, drives him home. Cut to Lenore, preparing for a visit from Dino, who wants to take her to Atlantic City. They start making love and Cookie leaves. In Atlantic City,  gang kingpin Arnold Ross tells Dino that he bought out Carmine—and hence Dino—and the money Dino was counting on for his retirement is with his partner. Dino confronts Carmine, who promises they'll talk at his Christmas party.

At Lenore's urging, he takes Cookie. Enzo Della Testa, the capo di tutti cappi” tells Carmine he must “deal with” Dino. Carmine welcomes Dino home among his friends. When Carmine's son makes a pass at her, Cookie burns his tie with her cigarette. Dino takes her out to the parking lot and tells her that you never let people know that revenge is coming. Dino has her drive the limo. Federal agents follow them, but Cookie loses them.

At Bunny's apartment—where he sleeps on the sofa—she tells him the day she gives him a divorce is the day he dies. District Attorney Segretto has put photos in the newspapers as part a campaign to label Dino the new godfather. Carmine offers Dino $25,000. Dino turns a table into his lap. Carmine's men shoot at Dino's car while Cookie is driving and blow up Dino's limo.

Cookie contacts Segretto. She offers to testify against her father's associates as long as he is put in witness protection. She suggests they fake his death. Dino and Cookie leak information that Dino has millions of dollars and is planning to retire to Sicily. The cops pack Dino's car with explosives, set to go off at 9 pm. Carmine decides to take the money and then kill Dino, but the plan goes awry when the money is stolen by two motorcycle cops—one of whom is Vito wearing a fake mustache.

Carmine calls Dino, telling him that Ross is holding Cookie. Dino says to meet him under the bridge at 9 pm. A variation on the opening scene of the film plays. Carmine gets into the limo, next to a corpse dressed in Dino's clothes. The limo explodes. Cookie, Ross, Vito and everyone involved in the conspiracy are partying.

The district attorney is horrified that he accidentally killed Carmine. Dino tells him he still needs to honor his agreement.

Dino and Lenore leave on a small plane.  Cookie hugs her father. “You are going straight, aren't you?” Dino calls to her. “Sure..” she says and has a picture taken of the three of them as a family.

Cookie dresses for the funeral like a fashion plate, waking Vito with a kiss. Dino and Lenore marry in Minnesota while the funeral goes on. As mourners drive away, Cookie lifts her veil and smiles at Della Testa, who salutes her. She looks at the camera, smiles and shrugs.

Cast

Production

Principal photography began on January 7, 1988, and concluded on April 15 of that year, with filming taking place in Queens, Little Italy, Chinatown, Coney Island, Elmont, the Garment District, the Manhattan Supreme Court courthouse, and Atlantic City. [1] [4]

Music

"Slammer" by Thomas Newman is the opening theme. [5] "I Should Be So Lucky", performed by Australian singer and actress Kylie Minogue, is played over the end credits. [6]

Home media

Warner Archives released the film on made-to-order DVD in the United States on May 4, 2010. [7]

Reception

Cookie received negative reviews from critics upon its release. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 13% based on 16 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10. [8]

Roger Ebert said the film was funny and pleasant in some sense, [2] but he felt it "[wasn't] very memorable probably because the filmmakers didn't have a clear vision of it themselves." [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Godfather Part II</i> 1974 epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola

The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American epic crime film. The film is produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, loosely based on the 1969 novel The Godfather by Mario Puzo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Coppola. It is both a sequel and a prequel to the 1972 film The Godfather, presenting parallel dramas: one picks up the 1958 story of Michael Corleone, the new Don of the Corleone family, protecting the family business in the aftermath of an attempt on his life; the other covers the journey of his father, Vito Corleone, from his Sicilian childhood to the founding of his family enterprise in New York City. The ensemble cast also features Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Morgana King, John Cazale, Marianna Hill and Lee Strasberg.

<i>The Brown Bunny</i> 2003 film directed by Vincent Gallo

The Brown Bunny is a 2003 film written, directed, produced, photographed and edited by Vincent Gallo. Starring Gallo and Chloë Sevigny, it tells the story of a motorcycle racer on a cross-country drive who is haunted by memories of his former lover. It was photographed with handheld 16 mm cameras in various locations throughout the United States, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ohio, Missouri, Utah, Nevada, and California.

Michael Vincenzo Gazzo was an American playwright who later in life became a movie and television actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Godfather Part II (1974).

<i>Endless Love</i> (1981 film) 1981 American film by Franco Zeffirelli

Endless Love is a 1981 American romantic drama film directed by Franco Zeffirelli, and starring Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley, Penelope Milford and Beatrice Straight. It also marked Tom Cruise's film debut.

<i>Weekend at Bernies</i> 1989 comedy film directed by Ted Kotcheff

Weekend at Bernie's is a 1989 American black comedy film directed by Ted Kotcheff, written by Robert Klane, and starring Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan Silverman, Catherine Mary Stewart, and Terry Kiser. It tells the story of two young insurance corporation employees who discover that their boss Bernie is dead after arriving at his house in The Hamptons. While attempting to convince people that Bernie is still alive until they can leave to prevent them from being falsely suspected for causing his death, they discover that Bernie had in fact ordered their killing to cover up his embezzlement. Weekend at Bernie's grossed $30 million on a $15 million budget.

<i>A Wedding</i> (1978 film) 1978 film by Robert Altman

A Wedding is a 1978 American satirical comedy-drama film directed by Robert Altman, with an ensemble cast that includes Desi Arnaz, Jr., Carol Burnett, Paul Dooley, Vittorio Gassman, Mia Farrow, Lillian Gish, Geraldine Chaplin, Howard Duff, Nina Van Pallandt, Amy Stryker, and Pat McCormick. The story is told in typical Altman style, with multiple plots and overlapping humorous dialogue.

<i>Spun</i> 2002 film by Jonas Åkerlund

Spun is a 2002 American black comedy crime drama film directed by Jonas Åkerlund from an original screenplay by William De Los Santos and Creighton Vero, based on three days of De Los Santos's life in the Eugene, Oregon drug subculture. It features an ensemble cast, including Jason Schwartzman, John Leguizamo, Mena Suvari, Patrick Fugit, Peter Stormare, Alexis Arquette, Deborah Harry, Rob Halford, Eric Roberts, Chloe Hunter, Nicholas Gonzalez, Brittany Murphy, and Mickey Rourke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Seidelman</span> American film director, producer and writer

Susan Seidelman is an American film director, producer, and writer. She is known for mixing comedy with drama and blending genres in her feature-film work. She is also notable for her art direction and pop-cultural references throughout her films, with a focus on women protagonists, particularly outsiders.

<i>The Freshman</i> (1990 film) 1990 film by Andrew Bergman

The Freshman is a 1990 American crime comedy film written and directed by Andrew Bergman, and starring Marlon Brando, Matthew Broderick, Bruno Kirby, Maximilian Schell, Penelope Ann Miller, and Frank Whaley. The plot revolves around a young New York film student's entanglement in an illicit business of offering exotic and endangered animals as specialty food items, including his being tasked with delivering a Komodo dragon for this purpose. The film received positive reviews from critics.

"All Happy Families..." is the 56th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the fourth of the show's fifth season. Written by Toni Kalem and directed by Rodrigo García, it originally aired on March 28, 2004.

"Calling All Cars" is the 50th episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the 11th of the show's fourth season. Written by David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, and David Flebotte from a story by Chase, Green, Burgess, and Terence Winter, it was directed by Tim Van Patten and originally aired on November 24, 2002.

"Eloise" is the 51st episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the 12th of the show's fourth season. Written by Terence Winter and directed by James Hayman, it originally aired on December 1, 2002.

<i>Living Out Loud</i> 1998 American film

Living Out Loud is a 1998 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Richard LaGravenese and set in New York City, starring Holly Hunter, Danny DeVito, Queen Latifah, Martin Donovan, and Elias Koteas.

<i>That Cold Day in the Park</i> 1969 film by Robert Altman

That Cold Day in the Park is a 1969 psychological drama thriller film directed by Robert Altman and starring Sandy Dennis. Based on the novel of the same name by Richard Miles and adapted for the screen by Gillian Freeman, it was filmed on location in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the events occur. The supporting cast includes Michael Burns, Luana Anders, John Garfield Jr., and Michael Murphy.

<i>Its My Turn</i> (film) 1980 film by Claudia Weill

It's My Turn is a 1980 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Jill Clayburgh, Michael Douglas, and Charles Grodin.

<i>The Return of the Whistler</i> 1948 film by D. Ross Lederman

The Return of the Whistler is a 1948 American mystery film noir based on the radio drama The Whistler. Directed by D. Ross Lederman, the production features Michael Duane, Lenore Aubert, and Dick Lane. This is the eighth and final entry in Columbia Pictures' "Whistler" series, produced in the 1940s. This was the only film in this series that did not star Richard Dix.

<i>The War of the Roses</i> (film) 1989 black comedy film directed by Danny DeVito

The War of the Roses is a 1989 American satirical black comedy film based upon the 1981 novel by Warren Adler. The film follows a wealthy couple with a seemingly perfect marriage. When their marriage begins to fall apart, material possessions become the center of an outrageous and bitter divorce battle.

<i>Tone-Deaf</i> 2019 American film

Tone-Deaf is a 2019 American comedy horror film written and directed by Richard Bates Jr. and starring Robert Patrick and Amanda Crew. Patrick also served as one of the executive producers of the film.

References

  1. 1 2 Forsberg, Myra (May 29, 1988). "FILM; Susan Seidelman's Recipe for 'Cookie'" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Ebert, Roger (September 15, 1989). "Cookie Movie Review & Film Summary (1989)". Chicago Sun-Times – via RogerEbert.com.
  3. ↑ Benson, Sheila (September 15, 1989). "MOVIE REVIEW : 'Cookie's' Frail Farce Crumbles Under Heavy Plot Line". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Cookie (1989) – History". AFI Catalog of Feature Films . Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Thomas Newman". IMDb.com. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Cookie (1989) - Soundtrack". IMDb.com. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Cookie - Production & Contact Info" . IMDbPro.com.
  8. ↑ "Cookie". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved October 19, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.