Main Cast: Peter Falk, Dianne Wiest, Emily Lloyd, Michael Vincente Gazzo, Brenda Vaccaro
Release Year: 1989
Country: US
Run Time: 100 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Directed by Susan Seidelman and written by Alice Arlen and Nora Ephron, Cookie comes across as an inconsequential piece of fluff, bolstered by a quirky performance by Emily Lloyd. Lloyd is Cookie Capisco, the daughter of mobster Dino Capisco (Peter Falk), who has just finished thirteen years in prison. Dino wants to get out of jail, settle some old scores, and make up for lost time with his daughter. His illegitimate daughter, that is -- since Cookie's mother, Lenore (Dianne Wiest), has been Dino's longtime mistress. Dino's actual wife Bunny (Brenda Vaccaro) has, he thinks, been kept in the dark about Dino's mistress and his daughter. Dino decides that the best way to get to know Cookie is to hire her as his chauffeur. With her ears attuned to the conspiracies floating around Dino, she quickly discovers that her father's old crony, Carmine (Michael V. Gazzo), has been swindling him and that Dino's life is in jeopardy. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Adrian Pasdar - Vito; Lionel Stander - Enzo Della Testa; Jerry Lewis - Arnold Ross; Bob Gunton - Segretto; Benjamin Rayson - Henry Solomon; Ricki Lake - Pia; Joe Mantello - Dominick; Marvin Albert - Voice of the New York Knicks; Frank Aquilino - Dino's Wiseguy; George Bartenieff - Andy O'Brien; Joy Behar - Dottie; Mark Boone, Jr. - Transit Cop; Clem Caserta - Dino's Wiseguy; Kim Chan - Hong Kong Tailor; Tony Devon - Bodyguard; Crystal Field - Angela; Frank Gio - Frankie; Aida Linares - Carmen; Arto Lindsay - Court Clerk; William Jay Marshall - Frank Pearl; Ralph Monaco - Judge; Joe Pentangelo - Federal Agent; Anthony Powers - Carmine's Wiseguy; Thomas Quinn - Vinnie; Rockets Redglare - Carmine's Wiseguy; Ed Setrakian - Mike Fusco; Tony Sirico - Carmine's Wiseguy; Barry Squitieri - Dino's Wiseguy; Mario Todisco - Sloppy Louie; David Wohl - Alvin Diamond; Lynn White - TV Reporter; Marshall Anker - Council Member; Evan Bell - Court Guard; Teresa Bellettieri - Vito's Girlfriend; Jerry Blavat - DJ at Chateau Mer; J.D. DeKranis - Cookie's Friend; Steve de Luca - Anti-bomb Brigade Agent; Ira Flitter - State Trooper; Delphi Harrington - Rosa Tarantino; Guido Innacelli - Dino's Wiseguy; Margaret Knopf - Recipe Woman; Tony La Fortezza - Angelo; Mike Marino - Dino's Wiseguy; Bob Martana - Ritz Truck Driver; Jim Mauro - Dino's Wiseguy; Isabell Monk - Matron; David K. Reilly - Feds; Sydney Sheriff - Salesman; Paul Slimak - Priest; Ben Spell - Justice of the Peace; F.X. Vitolo - Motorcycle Cop; Alfred dela Fuente - Maitre d'; Richard Caselnova - Driver
Credit
Bill Groom - Art Director, Laurence Mark - Co-producer, Jennifer Ogden - Co-producer, Albert Wolsky - Costume Designer, Susan Seidelman - Director, Andrew Mondshein - Editor, Alice Arlen - Executive Producer, Nora Ephron - Executive Producer, Susan Seidelman - Executive Producer, Thomas Newman - Composer (Music Score), Richard Dean - Makeup, Michael Haller - Production Designer, Oliver Stapleton - Cinematographer, Les Bloom - Set Designer, Connie Brink - Special Effects, Jery Hewitt - Stunts, Alice Arlen - Screenwriter, Nora Ephron - Screenwriter, Christopher Hampton - Screenwriter
Cookie Voltecki (Emily Lloyd) is the illegitimate daughter of mobster Dino Capisco (Peter Falk), who has just finished thirteen years in prison. Since being released from jail, all that Dino wants is to settle some old scores, and make up for lost time with his daughter.
Cookie's mother, Lenore Voltecki (Dianne Weist), has been Dino's longtime mistress. Dino's actual wife Bunny (Brenda Vaccaro) has, he thinks, been kept in the dark about Dino's mistress and his daughter. Dino decides that the best way to get to know Cookie is to hire her as his chauffeur. With her ears to the conspiracies floating around Dino, she quickly discovers that her father's old crony, Carmine (Michael V. Gazzo), has been swindling him and that Dino's life is in jeopardy.
Trivia
The original music score is composed by Thomas Newman.
Comedian Jerry Lewis plays the non-comedic role of Arnold Ross, a crooked building developer.
