Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18686 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-10-22
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 89 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

Special Features
English
Region 2

Synopsis
The title refers to the night when three men, Randy (Matt Dillon), his cousin Carl (Paul Reiser) and Detective Dehling (John Goodman), all meet Jewel Valentine (Liv Tyler) at a bar called McCool's. Actually, they don't so much meet her as fall under her spell when they first lay eyes on her. In her clinging red dress she looks like a cross between a beautiful damsel in distress and the Lady In Red looking for John Dillinger. The story begins with Randy, desperate to be rid of Jewel, hiring a sleazy hitman, played by Michael Douglas in an outre toupee. His story of how Jewel lead him to ruin, filmed in a stylized flashback bathed in blue, is mirrored by Carl talking to his therapist--played with a delicious verve by Reba McEntire, and Detective Dehling talking with a priest; each telling their own stories of obsession with Jewel. Tyler is clearly beautiful, but it's the evil, scheming side of her character--delivered with voluptuous softness and irresistible badness--that makes the men's actions, however ridiculous they become, feel completely believable. Dillon, Goodman, and Reiser are all type cast in their familiar personas, but the story moves quickly, the dialogue doesn't have that forced sitcom feel, and a running gag involving a wooden Indian builds to an amusing pay-off.

Customer Reviews

What a great movie
This film is great. While the script is original and witty the acting is second to none. With proven comic performances from Matt Dillon and John Goodman coupled with Micheal Douglas as a rent-a-killer all the pieces of the film fit together like a jigsaw. Further, throw in femme fatale Liv Tyler as a self obsessed woman with a homicidal insticts it is hard to find fault in this unusual film. It is worth watching just for the off the wall shoot out at the end which is one in a million.

Definitely NOT Awful.
I personally beleive this film has a lot to offer and that it will last a lot longer than most of the other films which people try to group with it. (I.e. recent comedy films of any kind).

For a start, this is highly original, the direction is unique and exciting, the altering perspectives of the three men make for some amusing moments as well as interesting plot developments.

This film is not a laugh a minute because if it was it would be cheap and would not have the cult potential this has.

It has excellent acting, even Matt Dillon who is cunningly cast as himself manages to put in a performance, and personally Liv Tyler is not the type of woman I find attractive; HOWEVER, clever directing and a performance and a half from her render her entirely beleiveable as a woman who you would do anything for. Especially as each of those in love with her see her as a totally different person, be it voluptuous hell-queen, dominatrix or Julie Andrews type.

The DVD had loads of excellent features to compliment it and I cannot reccomend it enough - if you prefer Coen to Farrelly I beleive you will enjoy it enough to warrant forking out the price of the DVD.

A perfect little movie
One of the best movies ever, the cast are superb, the script is brilliant and funny. I have to admit I would watch anything with Liv Tyler but this is the best movie she has been in. Michael Douglas is superb as the dodgy hit-man with a strange looking wig. A film with no flaws