Film review: 'Fortune Cookie' With Three You Get 'Fortune Cookie' / Well-mannered romantic-comedy has enthusiastic cast but little else
An instantly forgettable trifle, "Fortune Cookie" has no new insights into the awkwardness of first dates or long-delayed declarations of true love, but it does have an enthusiastic cast that provides some gently comic moments. The directorial debut of Clay Essig, written by Rob Thomas (ABC's "Cupid"), the low-budget American indie shot in Utah premiered at the Hollywood Film Festival.
By far the most photogenic and engaging of the three related couples who converge at a restaurant that purveys customized fortune cookies, high schoolers Heath (Matt Barker) and Doug (Rachel Kimsey) are mismatched. She's a confused cheerleader who agrees to let the awkward but sweet guy take her to the prom. Their rocky road to appreciating each other has no serious problems needing radical maneuvers, but the performers are appealing and the characters are the most believable in the movie.
Heath's jaded older sister (Brandy Snow) goes out on a date with a handsome radio DJ (Christopher Marley). They get to know each other's sensitive secrets and spar about details as she measures his sincerity, with little doubt they will bond seriously if they ever stop blabbing.
The third couple is Doug's widowed mother (Terra Allen) and her boyfriend (Doug Caputo), who is considering a new job out of town and wants to pop the question. Instead, they come close to breaking up during the climactic scenes, with the eatery's cynical Fortune Cookie scribe producing riddle-like words of wisdom.
Well-mannered, with no sex or harsh language, "Fortune Cookie" is competently made.
By far the most photogenic and engaging of the three related couples who converge at a restaurant that purveys customized fortune cookies, high schoolers Heath (Matt Barker) and Doug (Rachel Kimsey) are mismatched. She's a confused cheerleader who agrees to let the awkward but sweet guy take her to the prom. Their rocky road to appreciating each other has no serious problems needing radical maneuvers, but the performers are appealing and the characters are the most believable in the movie.
Heath's jaded older sister (Brandy Snow) goes out on a date with a handsome radio DJ (Christopher Marley). They get to know each other's sensitive secrets and spar about details as she measures his sincerity, with little doubt they will bond seriously if they ever stop blabbing.
The third couple is Doug's widowed mother (Terra Allen) and her boyfriend (Doug Caputo), who is considering a new job out of town and wants to pop the question. Instead, they come close to breaking up during the climactic scenes, with the eatery's cynical Fortune Cookie scribe producing riddle-like words of wisdom.
Well-mannered, with no sex or harsh language, "Fortune Cookie" is competently made.
- 8/31/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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