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A cool, dry place
Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities
Movie propaganda
A cool, dry place
is a heartfelt story about Russell Durrell (Vince Vaughn), a rising lawyer who has to juggle a big-city legal career with the responsibilities of single fatherhood when his wife (Monica Potter) suddenly leaves him and their young son, Calvin (Bobby Moat).When Russell loses his job, he is forced to take a lesser position in rural Kansas where he struggles to accept a life that he had never planned for. Russell tentatively begins a romance with Beth (Joey Lauren Adams) a spirited local woman, but complications arise when his estranged wife unexpectedly turns up wanting to reclaim their son.
Also starring Devon Sawa as Beth's brother Noah.
Intelligence analyst
Special Agent Matti
Theatrical report
Drama.A cool, dry place is not a romantic comedy, although it is both romantic and comedic, nor is it a family feud, although there are families and they are feuding: it is a drama, pure and simple.
The story is rich and rewarding, the characters are full yet flawed, the acting is strong and sensitive... this is a good story. Vince is especially good in his role. The camera is on him for 95% of the film and he carries the burden easily. Russell's tortured air of self-pity, love, pain, devotion and ambition is writ plain. Monica is unfortunately still stuck as the other Julia Roberts. She's a better actor by far but she was discovered second and comparisons only go one way. That's an unfortunate fact of life.
Bobby is way, way cool, performing with a subtlety that is not native to children his age. He absolutely owns every scene he is in. This is his first film. Wow.
Will you want to see this film? Well... that's not as easy a question to answer as it seems. Sure, it's a good film but it's not everyone's cup of tea. There're no special effects, no shooting, no kiddie porn... there's just drama. If you can stand a film that eschews the trappings of modern cinematic entertainment, then yes, go see this film. If you can't wait until Independence Day II comes out, then A cool, dry place is not for you. Go rent something else instead.
Security censorship classification
M (Sexual references, low level coarse language)
Surveillance time
95 minutes (1:35 hours)
Not for public release in Australia before date
16 February 2000
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