Cookie's Fortune (1999)

86% of critics liked it
(56 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(6,672 ratings)

Robert Altman directed this bittersweet ensemble piece about an eccentric and entangled group of family and friends living in the Deep South. Jewel Mae "Cookie" Orcutt (Patricia Neal) is the widowed matriarch of a small-town Mississippi family, which includes her nieces Camille (Glenn Close), a… More Robert Altman directed this bittersweet ensemble piece about an eccentric and entangled group of family and friends living in the Deep South. Jewel Mae "Cookie" Orcutt (Patricia Neal) is the widowed matriarch of a small-town Mississippi family, which includes her nieces Camille (Glenn Close), a pretentious would-be artist staging an amateur production of Salome at a local church, and Cora Julianne Moore), her less than enthusiastic leading lady. Willis (Charles S. Dutton), the caretaker of Cookie's rambling mansion, tries to persuade her sweet but aimless grand-niece, Emma (Liv Tyler), to move in with her, but she's more interested in her on-again, off-again romance with local cop Jason (Chris O'Donnell). Typical of Altman's work, Cookie's Fortune weaves together a number of different plot lines with relaxed grace, and features an impressive cast, including Ned Beatty, Lyle Lovett, and Courtney B. Vance. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: Robert Altman
Written By: Anne Rapp
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 2, 1999 Wide
On DVD: May 1, 2001
Studio: USA Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Most of what transpires is low-key, affectionate comedy and a fair amount of fun.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
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.
Todd McCarthy, Variety
The deceptively modest Cookie's Fortune may or not be Robert Altman's best film in years, but it is certainly his most pleasurable.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
This movie delivers agreeable performances and a charming, amusing story that offers little in the way of substance.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Cookie's Fortune is Robert Altman's sunniest film, a warm-hearted comedy that somehow manages to deal with death and murder charges without even containing a real villain.
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Altman's folkloric feints and throwaways are very easy on the eyes; he shows off his townspeople with such affection that after a while they begin to glow. The movie is a jaunty little jape.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This serio comedy about an eccentric Southern family is a minor work in Altman's oeuvre, but it's well acted and enjoyable.
, Film4
Despite several silly twists near the end, the acting is quite charming.
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine
This isn't great Altman but it's fun Altman.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
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.
Mark Halverson, Sacramento News & Review
[An] earthy, gently comic tale of death and family dysfunction.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Legendary director Robert Altman gives us a crime movie that somehow makes an old story seem fresh and funny.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
What's so distinctively charming is the easygoing tone, which manages to turn black comedy into a strangely gentle, touching and delicate affair.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
The perfect melding of story, characters, actors and behind the camera talent, all under the expert control of Altman.
John R. McEwen, Film Quips Online
Everyone loves a good murder mystery. And with a distinguished director like Robert Altman at the helm, and with talent like Glenn Close, Patricia Neal, Charles Dutton, Ned Beatty, and Julianne Moore, it would be hard to miss.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
A charming, quirky tale of small-town intrigue featuring a crackerjack cast.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Though it's the screen equivalent of cotton candy,"Fortune" is made with a very high grade of sugar.
, Boston Phoenix
There's no major message in this Cookie, only a fortune that reads, "You will have a good time."
Geoffrey Macnab, Sight and Sound
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.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Steven C

"Cookie's Fortune" is a sharp, dazzling dark comedy from Robert Altman. Anne Rapp's screenplay both captures the essence of small town life and character as well as satirizes it. The 'murder' mystery centerpiece is clever, funny and unique. Punctuated by… More
"Cookie's Fortune" is a sharp, dazzling dark comedy from Robert Altman. Anne Rapp's screenplay both captures the essence of small town life and character as well as satirizes it. The 'murder' mystery centerpiece is clever, funny and unique. Punctuated by a fantastic ensemble, featuring memorable turns from Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, Chris O'Donnell, Charles S. Dutton, Liv Tyler and Patricia Neal. "Cookie's Fortune" perfectly captures Altman's comedic sensibilities and knack for crafting wonderfully funny and true characters.
Sunil J

Nothing amazing but a solid small town dramedy/mystery that's well acted and amusing. I haven't seen most of Altman's work before but this seems very much his style from what I've seen.
Ina S

This isn't Altman's best, but having said that Altman is also easily one of my favourite directors - so even when he is not at his best, he never fails to entertain. And entertaining this is, a quirky, very Southern comedy with endearing characters. Julianne Moore is… More
This isn't Altman's best, but having said that Altman is also easily one of my favourite directors - so even when he is not at his best, he never fails to entertain. And entertaining this is, a quirky, very Southern comedy with endearing characters. Julianne Moore is hilarious as the slightly loopy sister, Glenn Close is simply superb in her over-the-top performance. Unfortunately, Liv Tyler is almost equally as bad as the others are great. The story sometimes is not as smooth as it could be, but the eccentric characters and the atmosphere of a small Southern town is what makes this a great and fun film.
Leo L

A favorite!
FanGirl B

Nice, charming lttle comedy.