Cookie’s Fortune (1999)
78%RT Audience Score: 65%
Awards & Nominations: Won 1 Oscar
3 wins & 5 nominations total
Cookie’s Fortune is a delightful and whimsical portrayal of a small Southern town that is shaken by a sudden death. Altman’s direction is masterful, as he weaves together a tapestry of eccentric characters and their idiosyncrasies. The film’s black comedy is both gentle and touching, and the performances are top-notch, particularly Glenn Close’s portrayal of the villainous Camille Dixon. While it may not be Altman’s greatest work, Cookie’s Fortune is a charming and enjoyable film that will leave you with a smile on your face.
Cookie’s Fortune is a charming and quirky film that will have you laughing and scratching your head at the same time. While it may not be Robert Altman’s best work, it’s still a fun ride with a great cast of characters. Glenn Close’s villainous Camille Dixon is a standout, and the film’s black comedy light tone is a refreshing change of pace. If you’re looking for a movie that’s equal parts heartwarming and absurd, then Cookie’s Fortune is the perfect choice.
Production Company(ies)
Studio Chizu Book Walker Dentsu
Distributor
Bac Films, Argentina Video Home, Budapest Film Rt., Primer Plano Film Group S.A., Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Passed
Year of Release
1966
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Color:Color
Black and White -
Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 58m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 22, 1999 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2016
Genre(s)
drama
Keyword(s)
starring Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler, Chris O’Donnell, Charles S Dutton, Patricia Neal, directed by Robert Altman, written by Anne Rapp, Comedy, Drama, PG-13, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Angie Errigo, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Owen Gleiberman, Todd McCarthy, Geoffrey Macnab, Cole Smithey, Emanuel Levy, Film4 Staff, Maitland McDonagh, Mark Halverson, Wesley Lovell, Southern charm, small town, murder mystery, eccentric characters, vanity, greed, deception, postmortem plan, suicide, evidence, victimless crime, local handyman, Tennessee Williams-ish finale, ensemble cast, dark comedy, satire, unique, endearing characters, atmosphere, quirky, charming
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Julianne Moore – Cora Duvall
Liv Tyler – Emma Duvall
Chris O’Donnell – Jason Brown
Charles S. Dutton – Willis Richland
Patricia Neal – Jewel Mae “Cookie” Orcutt
Director(s)
Robert Altman
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Ernst Etchie Stroh
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 1 Oscar
3 wins & 5 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (58) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (50) | Rotten (8)
This isn’t great Altman but it’s fun Altman.
July 21, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Angie Errigo
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Most of what transpires is low-key, affectionate comedy and a fair amount of fun.
July 21, 2010
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Cookie’s Fortune is a wittily diagrammed portrait of a small town shaken to its roots by this deceptive calamity. The movie, though, never really becomes more than a diagram.
July 7, 2010 | Rating: B-
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
The deceptively modest Cookie’s Fortune may or not be Robert Altman’s best film in years, but it is certainly his most pleasurable.
January 1, 2009
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
What’s so distinctively charming is the easygoing tone, which manages to turn black comedy into a strangely gentle, touching and delicate affair.
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
The old energy and bite may be lacking, but at least this lazy, amiable shaggy-dog story was made in the same freewheeling, idiosyncratic way as Altman’s best work.
March 5, 2002
Geoffrey Macnab
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
This is black comedy light, but you’ll catch the undercurrent of ingrained racism in the hands of Glenn Close’s villainess character Camille Dixon.
December 18, 2020 | Rating: A
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
This serio comedy about an eccentric Southern family is a minor work in Altman’s oeuvre, but it’s well acted and enjoyable.
August 10, 2011 | Rating: B-
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Despite several silly twists near the end, the acting is quite charming.
July 21, 2010
Film4 Staff
Film4
Despite some lovely performances (though, sad to say, Patricia Neal’s isn’t one of them) and charming moments, this meandering ensemble piece and its Tennessee Williams-ish finale is oddly out of character.
July 21, 2010 | Rating: 2.5/4
Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide
[An] earthy, gently comic tale of death and family dysfunction.
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review
August 18, 2007 | Rating: 3.5/4
Wesley Lovell
Cinema Sight…
Plot
TV cameraman Harry Hinkle is injured while filming a football game. Seeing an opportunity for big, easy money, his unscrupulous ambulance-chasing lawyer brother-in-law, enters the picture. He gets Harry to overstate his injuries and claim $1 million in pain and suffering. Harry’s similarly-minded ex-wife suddenly reappear and tries to rekindle their relationship. Meanwhile, the football player who hit Harry struggles with the outcome of his actions.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Glenn Close delivers an over-the-top performance in Cookie’s Fortune.
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