| One Night at McCool's is 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. Not as polished as Grosse Pointe Blank, with which it shares a similar offbeat sensibility, it's a promising comedy that never quite hits full speed, coasting along amiably enough before spiralling into violence that clashes with its trashy sensibility. But it's fun enough, 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 continually insists upon it until you're left with no choice but to agree wholeheartedly. As bombshell Jewell Valentine, Tyler lures three guys into her criminal scheme. Happy homemaking. Bartender Matt Dillon's the first to take the bait; as Dillon's lawyer cousin, Paul Reiser also 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 Coen-esque punch that would kick it over the top. It hardly matters, though; with a femme fatale such as Liv in control, the movie's faults will easily be forgiven. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com |
