Andrew Dice Clay, Eric Schaeffer, John Goodman

A giddy attempt to combine a standard film noir plot and a contemporary sex farce about men who (to quote John Hiatt's song) let their little heads do the thinking, One Night at McCool's is a p...( read more  read more... )romising comedy that never hits full speed, coasting along amiably enough before spiraling into violence that clashes with its trashy sensibility. It's not as polished as Grosse Pointe Blank, but it's fun enough to recommend, especially for those who drool at the sight of Liv Tyler. The movie begins by suggesting that Liv is sexy, then proceeds to prove it, and then continually insists upon it until you're left with no choice but to wholeheartedly agree. It's an easy choice, but pity the movie's wretched guys for making it.

As bombshell Jewell Valentine, Tyler lures three guys into her criminal scheme of happy homemaking. Bartender Matt Dillon's the first to take the bait; as Dillon's lawyer cousin, Paul Reiser can't resist; and when murder complicates everything, detective John Goodman employs his own love-struck brand of chivalry. Sporting a tacky pompadour, Michael Douglas steals the show as a hit man hired to whack the scheming sexpot--and Andrew Dice Clay is surprisingly funny in a dangerous dual role--but of course Liv can hold her own. It's all quite amusing, but rarely is McCool's as funny as you hope it will be; the dialogue by Stan Seidel (who sadly died before filming completed) is zesty enough but lacks the Coenesque punch that would kick it over the top. It hardly matters, though; with a femme fatale like Liv in control, the movie's faults will be easily forgiven. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

40% liked it

12,694 ratings

Critics

33% liked it

102 critics

R, 93 min.

Directed by: Harald Zwart

Release Date: April 27, 2001

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DVD Release Date: October 9, 2001

Stats: 454 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (454)


  • September 25, 2009
    A bit of fun but not great.
  • April 17, 2009
    Despite the pretty good cast and acting, this movie about a love-and-murder story told from different points-of-view is only average at best. I expected more and was seriously disappointed.
  • September 22, 2007
    A dark version of There's Something ABout Mary, where all the guys fancy the same girl. Except Liv uses this to her advantage to get what see wants. Good cast.
  • September 21, 2007
    Liv Tyler doing her best Jessica Rabbit impersonation stars as a vampy femme fatale who beguiles every man she meets by spontaneously turning into a photo shoot from FHM magazine, and wackiness ensues. A promising cast fail to save what is essentially a film noir spoof that unfor...( read more)tunately is totally lacking in wit and any measure of subtlety. What starts off as a kind of Elmore Leonard style comic drama suddenly becomes some kind of Rashomon (or Jackie Brown) homage in which the same story is told from three different perspectives, and ends up as tacky farce involving comedy bondage gear and a shoot-out to the strains of The Village People. It's heavy handed, vulgar and more than a little misogynistic, and you'd be far better served watching Grosse Point Blank or Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang instead.
  • June 8, 2007
    Ahhhhhh the pain of seeing Paul Reiser in bondage ahhhh.
  • November 15, 2009
    An entertaining but majorly strange ass flick. Just shows what happens when a man lets the trouser snake do all the thinking but look at Liv Tyler?!?! Who wouldn't want a piece of her ass?? Talk about a love triangle.... The ultimate message is women are evil - which is damn ...( read more)true. The whole cast in this is great. Don't let the middling rating deceive you - this comes recommended.
  • November 12, 2009
    Katastrofa dosadan film, imam ga na DVDu pa sam ga pogledao, inace ne bi.
    Radnja : 5/10
    Glumci : 6/10
  • October 7, 2009
    Fun to see Matt Dillon in a movie, Usualy only see him in series.
    The movie is pretty original and funny
  • September 24, 2009
    a funny little film but it doesn't do anything. it just is. i do like it when they show scenes from two different points of view though. that does make me laugh.
  • September 20, 2009
    Liv is stunning with the red hair here. That's about all that I liked about this one though. lol

Critic Reviews


April 27, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is so busy with its crosscut structure and its interlocking stories that it never really gives us anyone to identify with. full review

April 5, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Tyler, a true beauty, gives the role a valiant try, but her range is too limited to play this amalgam of female perfection. full review

View more One Night at McCool's reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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One Night at McCool's Trivia


  • What 2001 movie starred John Goodman, Liv Tyler, Michael Douglas, and Matt Dillon?  Answer »
  • who was sexy before she starred in One Night At McCools as an Empire Records employee, managing to outsex Renee Zellweger.  Answer »
  • What is the name of the film where Liv Tyler wraps three losers around her finger?  Answer »
  • What actor appeared in all of the following films: Raising Arizona, Coyote Ugly and One Night at McCool's ?  Answer »

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