Cookie

The usual suspects support Peter Falk and Emily Lloyd in Susan Seidelman's mob comedy. He's coming out of prison after thirteen years and wants his money from Michael Gazzo. She's his illegitimate daughter by Dianne Wiest, a street kid and "famous screwup" who winds up driving for him. Gazzo has no intention of paying him, of course. In fact, Falk is so annoying that Gazzo wants him dead, and with guys like these, the wish is usually father to the deed.

After all ll the Mafia movies of the 1970s came the inevitable reaction in the late 1980s of mob comedies, and this is one of the best of them. Sociologically, these films marked the middle of the Mafia's decline. It seemed every mook flipped for witness protection and a book deal. Newer, more violent gangs were taking over the drug trade, Off Track Betting gutted the bookies, and Waste Management took over garbage collection. Organized Crime was still feared, and the legend persists, but the grandsons of capos now largely run legitimate businesses; they've assimilated.

Jerry Lewis has a sizable role, and Lionel Stander is on view as an aging capo di tutto capi, as are Brenda Vacarro, Adrian Pasdar, and lots of shots of grungy outer boroughs and Atlantic City.

I am glad that I'm not the only one who is intrigued by Adrien Pasdar (Near Dark). He is very good looking, and has talent a good deal of talent, even though in these type of stereotypical comedies it is difficult to see.

Adrien Pasdar can presently be seen as the D.A in the CBS drama Judging Amy, which is a much better example of his talent and depth. But Adrien Pasdar aside, this is a good comedy. The definitive word here is COMEDY. Don't watch this movie looking for a deeply moving, world changing experience, because you aren't going to find it. Watch instead for a fondness of Peter Falk humor, and enjoy the story of his illegitimate daughter Cookie. Emily Loyd is quite possibly the perfect choice for the role of Cookie, having never seen her before myself, it made it even easier for me to believe she truly was a Brooklyn tough-chick, who's estranged and imprisoned father was a gangster known on the street as Dapper Dino.

At first she's a bit off putting, for one it was the 80's, and the wardrobe chosen for her is made to fit that era and age of the character. But it is still garish and goofy at times. One example, the white dress that she wears to the mafia Christmas party-what was that all about? I suppose they were trying to show her immaturity and to make her final outfit-which is a major improvement-be all the more attractive and satisfying. The actress Emily Loyd is not a raving beauty, which works out for the best because I couldn't see the character Cookie being model gorgeous, but there are several unique elements to her features that give her a strange sort of beauty that is lovely none-the-less. The character Vito (Adrien Pasdar) notices this about Cookie the first time he sees her. Vito is a character I think you'll enjoy. He is that bad boy with a good heart type that strikes a chord in many American women's hearts. I enjoyed the romance element between Vito and Cookie the most, second only to the hilarious events that occur between she and her father throughout the film. There are some things that could have made this film better, but few films are perfect so why split hairs? Enjoy the movie for what it is, an 80's comedy/romance, with the handsome and pleasing Adrien Pasdar...shame he's married.

One viewer wrote that this is kind of movie you should try for lazy Saturday afternoon viewing. I agree. Cookie is no grand royal of fans, but rather a fun little film that works in the spirit of Desperately Seeking Susan, which is no surprise that the film is directed by the same person, Susan Sneidman. Emily Lloyd has to goofy, hip kind of attitude that Madonna did as "Susan." She, mixed with the stuffy business-minded mafia family makes for a fun time.

I was drawn to this film as a Peter Falk fan. He is Dino Capisco, a mob boss released from prison. His estranged daughter is Cookie is sent to work for him. He needs to get some money back from an associate before making a break from the mafia life. However, his associate went and sold off his shares and basically says, live with it. But not Dino. And not Cookie, neither.

Diana Wiest plays Cookie's absolutely wacky mother and Dino's girlfriend who's waiting to get married to Dino when he does make his break from the mob. Jerry Lewis has a small part as a rival associate. And to my surprise, the movie also stars a very young Adrian Pasdar, which current viewers of Judging Amy will recognize as the D.A. and Amy Gray's love interest. He's a hubba hubba.

For you eighties fans out there, this movie is probably right up your alley. It's good times!

It was planned as a feel good movie like 'Desperately Seeking Susan' but in fact it is unfortunately only goofy and boring. I don't know why such a accomplished writer like Nora Ephron had written such a bad screenplay and the poor actors and actresses like Ricki Lake, Dianne Wiest, Peter Falk, Brenda Vaccaro, Lionel Stander or Jerry Lewis have had no chance to show their talents. And poor Emily Lloyd. I think it costs her a lot of sympathy in Hollywood and have had prevented to become such a big star like Gwyneth Paltrow or Winona Ryder in the USA.

If you have ever watched any of the dozens of writer/director/producer John Hughes 1980's classic teen Rom/Com films than you will surely notice the failed attempt of this 1986 film title Cookie lackluster production quality and choice of actors in attempting to copy the more successful John Hughes Rom/Com style of film.

The entire cast of the film Cookie failed miserably especially the lead actor Emily Lloyd who was supposed to be playing the troubled teenage illegitimate daughter Carmela 'Cookie' Voltecki of the former mafioso boss Dominick Capisco (Peter Falk) who was just released from prison after serving a thirteen (13) year stint.

The combination of Emily Lloyd's being cast as the illegitimate daughter of an Italian mob boss played by Peter Falk neither of which have any Italian heritage but eh the director Susan Seidelman is no Francis Ford Coppola, or Martin Scorsese either, so why expect any casting realism in this cheap knock off of the successful John Hughes filmography.

The music score also reminded me of a John Hughes type film, and after you see the way Emily Lloyd is dressed throughout the film you will surely be reminded of the earlier 1986 film Pretty In Pink starring Molly Ringwald with her funky attire which was more than a minor faux pas and cheap attempt at copying the similar costume effect delivered by John Hughes

In summary, although this 1989 film Cookie was a disappointment for me it was an indirect great tribute to the late great writer/director/producer John Hughes by the failed attempt to copy his film style of a Rom/Com film.....sorry but director Susan Seidelman just isn't cut out for directing major films. Oh wait a minute, that's why she has been focused lately on TV productions.

I give it a 5 out of 10 IMDB rating