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Be Cool
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| Be Cool | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | F. Gary Gray |
| Screenplay by | Peter Steinfeld |
| Based on | Be Cool by Elmore Leonard |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Jeffrey L. Kimball |
| Edited by | Sheldon Kahn |
| Music by | John Powell |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | MGM Distribution Co. (United States) 20th Century Fox (International)[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 120 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $53–75 million[2][3] |
| Box office | $95.8 million[2] |
Be Cool is a 2005 American crime comedy film directed by F. Gary Gray and based on Elmore Leonard's 1999 novel, which was the sequel to Leonard's 1990 novel Get Shorty. The movie is the sequel to the 1995 film adaptation of Get Shorty, with John Travolta reprising his role and also starring Cedric the Entertainer, Andre Benjamin, Vince Vaughn, Robert Pastorelli, Uma Thurman, James Woods, Christina Milian, Steven Tyler, Dwayne Johnson, Harvey Keitel, and Danny DeVito. The plot follows mobster Chili Palmer, portrayed by Travolta, as he enters into the music industry.
The film adaptation of Be Cool began production in 2004 and was produced by DeVito, Michael Shamberg, and Stacey Sher. The film was released on March 4, 2005, receiving negative reviews and grossing $95 million against a budget of $53–75 million.
Plot
[edit]Ernesto "Chili" Palmer, restless and disenchanted with filmmaking, enters the music industry after witnessing the Russian mob publicly whack his friend Tommy Athens, owner of a small, independent record label. Chili offers to help Tommy's widow, Edie Athens, manage the failing business, which owes $300,000 to hip-hop producer Sin LaSalle.
Chili is impressed by small-time club singer Linda Moon and helps free her from contractual obligations to crooked producers Nick Carr and Raji, who has a gay Samoan bodyguard named Elliot, an aspiring actor and the butt of Carr and Raji's gay jokes. Carr and Raji pay hitman Joe "Loop" Lupino to kill Chili before he can save Edie's company by arranging a live performance for Linda accompanied by Steven Tyler and Aerosmith.
LaSalle demands payment of the $300,000 but agrees to give Chili a few days to get the money plus the vig. When the Russians attempt to kill Chili, Joe Loop mistakenly kills mob enforcer Ivan Argianiyev. Carr is furious about the mistake and demands that Raji talks to Loop at once. Raji then beats Loop to death with a metal baseball bat after Loop "disrespects" him.
Carr then tries to trick Chili by handing him a pawn ticket, claiming that the only copy of Linda's contract is at a pawn shop owned by the Russians. Chili, being much smarter than Carr anticipated, has Edie tip off the FBI and starts a fight to get the shop raided. Raji and Elliot then set up LaSalle by making him believe that Carr tricked Chili into giving him the $300,000 to get Linda's contract. LaSalle and his bodyguards, rap group DubMD, confront Carr in his office, as does the Russian boss, Bulkin, and his men. Insulted by Bulkin's racist remarks, LaSalle personally murders him on impulse.
Chili squeezes in a dance scene with Edie, celebrating as Linda Moon gets to make her appearance and becomes an instant success. He also manages to placate LaSalle by agreeing that he will produce Linda's next album and get a share of the profits.
Carr is enraged upon hearing of the deal, so he and Raji order Elliot to kill Chili. By assuring Elliot that he can help his acting career, Chili befriends him. After learning that Chili had gotten him an audition for a Nicole Kidman film, Elliot turns on Raji, who had erased the message on his answering machine. For all his smooth talking and flamboyant wardrobe, Raji is burned to death on camera by a fireworks explosion. Carr is arrested on murder charges when Chili makes sure he is caught with the bat used to kill Joe Loop, via another pawn ticket.
At the MTV Video Music Awards, Linda wins the awards for best new artist and video of the year. During her acceptance speech, she thanks Edie, Sin and Chili. Edie and Chili leave the award ceremony. As Chili drives off, he passes a billboard revealing that Elliot is the co-star of a new movie with Kidman.
Cast
[edit]- John Travolta as Chili Palmer
- Uma Thurman as Edie Athens
- Vince Vaughn as Roger "Raji" Lowenthal
- Cedric the Entertainer as Sin LaSalle
- André Benjamin as Dabu
- Robert Pastorelli as Joseph "Joe Loop" Lupino
- Christina Milian as Linda Moon
- Paul Adelstein as Hyman Gordon
- Debi Mazar as Marla
- GregAlan Williams as Darryl
- Harvey Keitel as Nick Carr
- Dwayne Johnson as Elliot Wilhelm
- Danny DeVito as Martin Weir
- Seth Green as Shotgun
- James Woods as Tommy Athens
- Alex Kubik as Roman Bulkin
- George Fisher as Ivan Argianiyev
- Serdar Kalsin as Semyon
- Anthony J. Ribustello as Fast Freddie
- Carol Duboc as Pumpkin
- Minae Noji as Miss Bangkok
- Arielle Kebbel as Robin
- Kimberly J. Brown as Tiffany
- Margaret Travolta as Marge
- Scott Adsit as Program Director
- Nick Loren as Assistant Director
- Shanell Woodgett as Music Video Dancer
- Dan Brown as Concert Goer
- Jessica Roesener as Concert Goer
Cameos
[edit]Soundtrack
[edit]The film's soundtrack was released on March 1, 2005.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fantasy" (Earth, Wind & Fire) | 3:46 |
| 2. | "Hollywood Swinging" (Kool & the Gang) | 3:26 |
| 3. | "Be Thankful for What You Got" (William DeVaughn) | 5:45 |
| 4. | "Roda" (Elis Regina) | 2:35 |
| 5. | "Sexy" (The Black Eyed Peas) | 4:44 |
| 6. | "Suga Suga (Reggae Remix)" (Baby Bash) | 4:10 |
| 7. | "The Boss" (James Brown) | 3:12 |
| 8. | "Ain't No Reason" (Christina Milian) | 3:12 |
| 9. | "Believer" (Christina Milian) | 3:14 |
| 10. | "Brand New Old Skool" (777) | 4:34 |
| 11. | "G's and Soldiers" (Planet Asia featuring Kurupt) | 4:12 |
| 12. | "Cool Chill (Instrumental)" (John Powell) | 3:56 |
| 13. | "A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done" (Sonny & Cher) | 3:15 |
| 14. | "You Ain't Woman Enough" (Loretta Lynn, performed by The Rock in the film) | 3:31 |
Songs featured in the film but not included on the soundtrack are:
- "Act a Ass" – E-40
- "Autumn Blue"
- "Best of My Love" – Christina Milian, Carol Duboc, and Minae Noji
- "Beethoven's 9th" – Dean Hurley
- "Brazilian Day" – XMAN
- "Chattanooga Choo Choo" – Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums
- "Cooliest" – Jimi Englund
- "Cryin'" – Aerosmith and Christina Milian
- "Deanstone" – Dean Hurley
- "(Everytime I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone" – Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums
- "Heistus Interruptus"
- "Kiss Me" – Sixpence None the Richer
- "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" – Bob Dylan
- "Lady Marmalade – Carol Duboc and Minae Noji
- "La Primavera"
- "Melbourne Mansion"
- "Marvelous Things" – Eisley (video visible in background)
- "Me So Horny" – 2 Live Crew
- "Moving On"
- "Praia de Genipabu" – Barbara Mendes
- "Rock It Like Diss" – Jahmaal Rashad
- "Santa Monica Man" – Dean Hurley
- "Short Pimp" – Noah Lifschey and Dylan Berry
- "Strings in Velvet" – Manfred Minnich
- "Travel Russia #2" – The Dollhouse Players
- "Wild Out" – Cheming (featuring XMAN)
Release
[edit]Box office
[edit]On a production budget of $53–75 million, Be Cool grossed $56 million in North America and $39.2 million internationally, totaling up to $95.2 million worldwide.[2][3]
Critical reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 30% of 168 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "Be Cool is tepid, square, and lukewarm; as a parody of the music business, it has two left feet."[4] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 37 out of 100, based on 38 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[5] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B−" on an A+ to F scale.[6]
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times called it "A classic species of bore: a self-referential movie with no self to refer to. One character after another, one scene after another, one cute line of dialogue after another, refers to another movie, a similar character, a contrasting image, or whatever."[7] Halliwell called it "a palpable miss, a movie so lazy and laid back that it falls over; there are none of those insights ... that made Get Shorty so enjoyable".[8]
In an August 2015 interview with Deadline, director F. Gary Gray discussed the failure of the film, stating: "With Be Cool, I made some assumptions in thinking that movie was going to work. I'd just made a successful PG-13 movie [The Italian Job], and when I walked into Be Cool, it was rated R and then at the last minute in preproduction I was told, 'Well, you have to make this PG-13.' I should have walked off the film. This was a movie about shylocks and gangsta rappers and if you can't make that world edgy, you probably shouldn't do it. I walked in thinking I was going to make one movie and then it changed. Maybe it was arrogant of me to think because I had success in this realm of PG-13 I could make that work."[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "BE COOL (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. February 18, 2005. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Be Cool (2005)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "Be Cool (2005) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ Be Cool at Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ Be Cool at Metacritic
- ^ "Find CinemaScore" (Type "Be Cool" in the search box). CinemaScore. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (March 3, 2005). "Warmed-over Chili not cool". Chicago Sun-Times. RogerEbert.com.
- ^ "Halliwell's Film Guide" ISBN 0-00-723470-8
- ^ Mike Fleming (August 14, 2015). "F. Gary Gray Q&A: The Hard Life Lessons That Led To 'Straight Outta Compton'". Deadline Hollywood.
External links
[edit]- Be Cool at IMDb
- Be Cool at Box Office Mojo
- Be Cool at Rotten Tomatoes
- Be Cool at Metacritic
Be Cool
View on GrokipediaBackground and Development
Literary Origins
Be Cool originated as a novel by acclaimed American crime fiction writer Elmore Leonard, first published in 1999 by Delacorte Press.[4] The book centers on protagonist Chili Palmer, a former Miami loan shark who, after relocating to Los Angeles, becomes entangled in the music industry following the murder of his friend, record producer Tommy Athens; key elements such as Chili's takeover of the record label, his negotiations with eccentric industry figures, and confrontations with Russian mobsters remain central to the narrative and were largely preserved in the subsequent film adaptation.[5] The novel functions as a loose sequel to Leonard's earlier work, Get Shorty, published in 1990 and adapted into a hit 1995 film starring John Travolta as Chili Palmer.[6] In Get Shorty, Chili transitions from debt collection to Hollywood filmmaking, satirizing the movie business; Be Cool extends this premise by shifting his ambitions to the recording industry, maintaining the character's street-smart persona while exploring parallel themes of opportunism and cultural excess.[7] Leonard infuses Be Cool with his characteristic writing style, characterized by sharp, dialogue-driven prose that propels the plot through naturalistic conversations rather than descriptive narration, blending crime thriller elements with comedic undertones and pointed satire of the entertainment world.[8] This approach, honed across decades of crime fiction, highlights the absurdities of power dynamics in Hollywood and the music scene, with Leonard's ear for authentic vernacular adding levity to tense scenarios.[9] Upon its release, Be Cool achieved immediate commercial success, debuting on The New York Times bestseller list in March 1999 and contributing to Leonard's reputation for consistent sales in the millions across his catalog.[10] Critics lauded the novel's wit and pacing, with Kirkus Reviews highlighting its farcical take on Chili's unlikely rise in music production, and Publishers Weekly commending Leonard's "razor-sharp" dissection of industry venality and egomania.[11]Pre-Production
The film rights to Elmore Leonard's 1999 novel Be Cool were acquired by Jersey Films, the production company founded by Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, and Stacey Sher, who served as the primary producers on the adaptation.[12] Screenwriter Peter Steinfeld was tasked with adapting the novel into a screenplay, delivering a shooting draft dated January 7, 2004, that incorporated updates to reflect contemporary shifts in the music industry, such as the rise of hip-hop and R&B influences since the book's late-1990s setting.[13] In August 2003, F. Gary Gray was attached to direct, coming off the success of his 2003 heist film The Italian Job, with his involvement emphasizing a tonal balance of sharp wit, dramatic tension, and musical elements to suit the story's Hollywood-to-music-industry satire.[12][1] MGM greenlit the project in late 2003 under the oversight of executive Elizabeth Cantillon, approving a production budget of $53 million, with principal photography slated to begin in February 2004.[12][14][15] Pre-production focused on staging the film in Los Angeles to authentically capture the novel's satirical take on the entertainment world, utilizing the city's diverse urban and studio landscapes for key scenes involving the music business and mob intrigue.[16][17]Production
Casting
John Travolta was confirmed to reprise his role as Chili Palmer from the 1995 film Get Shorty in early 2004, leveraging the established chemistry he brought to Elmore Leonard's character from the original adaptation.[18] Uma Thurman was cast as Edie Athens, the head of an independent record label, in late 2003, selected for her reunion with Travolta from Pulp Fiction (1994) and to bring nuanced depth to the aspiring singer and businesswoman navigating the music industry.[19] Vince Vaughn was chosen for the role of Raji, a sleazy music manager with mob ties, following auditions with several comedians; his improvisational approach during rehearsals and filming notably shaped several comedic sequences.[20] Cedric the Entertainer was selected to play Sin LaSalle, a hip-hop producer, for his established rap persona that aligned with the film's music industry satire; negotiations were finalized in mid-2004 ahead of principal photography.[21] Dwayne Johnson (credited as The Rock) was cast as Elliot Wilhelm, a flamboyant bodyguard and aspiring performer.[22] Supporting roles included Harvey Keitel in a brief appearance as Nick Carr, a Russian mobster, marking a return to Leonard's universe though in a new capacity from his Get Shorty character. Robert Pastorelli's portrayal of the hitman Joe Loop was his final film role, completed just before his death from an accidental drug overdose in March 2004.[23]Filming
Principal photography for Be Cool, under the direction of F. Gary Gray, commenced on February 2, 2004, in Los Angeles, California, utilizing a mix of Hollywood studio lots and real urban environments to authentically capture the interconnected worlds of the music and film industries.[24] The production leveraged iconic locales such as Canter's Deli on Fairfax Avenue for key dialogue scenes and the Sunset Strip area, including sites near 8862 Sunset Boulevard, to evoke the vibrant, high-stakes atmosphere of entertainment hubs.[17] The shooting schedule spanned approximately 12 weeks, concluding on April 23, 2004, with intensive sequences filmed at venues like the Shrine Auditorium standing in for concert performances, where large-scale crowd extras were coordinated to simulate lively music events.[24] Action elements, including a dynamic car chase through bustling streets reminiscent of Sunset Boulevard, presented logistical hurdles such as traffic management and stunt coordination to ensure safety amid the city's dense traffic patterns.[17] Production faced challenges in synchronizing the ensemble cast's availability, particularly for cameo appearances by music industry figures, while maintaining momentum across diverse set pieces from intimate rehearsals to high-energy chases.[25] On-set, John Travolta and Uma Thurman dedicated several days to rehearsing their tango-infused dance sequence, building on their Pulp Fiction chemistry through choreographed sessions that emphasized fluid, practical movements over digital enhancements.[26] Post-production began immediately following principal photography in May 2004, with editor Sheldon Kahn refining the footage to achieve the final 119-minute runtime, focusing on pacing the blend of comedy, action, and musical elements without relying heavily on CGI for core sequences.[27]Story and Characters
Plot Summary
Chili Palmer, a former mobster who transitioned into Hollywood producing after his experiences in the film industry as depicted in Get Shorty, grows disenchanted with movies and seeks new ventures. During a lunch meeting with his friend and record executive Tommy Athens (James Woods), Chili witnesses Tommy's assassination by Russian gangster Roman Bulkin (Alex Kubik).[28] Seeking to capitalize on the opportunity, Chili visits Tommy's widow, Edie Athens, and convinces her to let him manage her struggling record label, Zzyzx Records, under the pretense of helping her navigate the business while developing a romantic interest in her. Edie introduces Chili to aspiring singer Linda Moon (Christina Milian), a talented performer under contract but controlled by her sleazy manager, Raji, a wannabe gangster deeply in debt to Russian mob interests and rival hip-hop label owner Sin LaSalle. Chili recognizes Linda's star potential and aims to free her from her exploitative deal to produce her music independently.[28] As Chili takes over the label, he faces escalating conflicts: Raji, jealous of Chili's influence and desperate to maintain control, repeatedly undermines him, including staging a fake kidnapping and attempting to sabotage Linda's career. Meanwhile, a hitman subplot unfolds when Chili's bodyguard, the Bear (referencing his past Miami enforcer days), is murdered by professional killer Joe "Loop" Lupino (Robert Pastorelli), who is tied to the Russian mob. Chili tracks down and blackmails Loop into becoming his reluctant bodyguard and driver, using him to navigate the industry's dangers. References to Chili's Get Shorty past surface, such as his dealings with producer Harry Zimm, underscoring his savvy in manipulating Hollywood and now music business egos.[28] The central tensions converge at Linda's breakthrough concert, where Raji, in league with Russian interests, plans a double-cross to eliminate Chili and seize control of Linda and the label. Sin LaSalle, initially antagonistic but impressed by Chili's persistence, intervenes in the chaos, leading to a shootout where Loop kills Raji in self-defense, and the Russians are subdued. With the threats neutralized, Edie and Chili solidify their partnership, Sin absorbs Zzyzx into his operation, and Linda's career launches successfully. In a satirical nod to Chili's Hollywood roots, he produces Linda's music video, blending music industry antics with film production tropes for a triumphant, meta resolution.[28]Cast List
The cast of Be Cool (2005) includes a mix of established actors and musicians, bringing to life the characters from Elmore Leonard's novel as Chili Palmer navigates the music industry.[27]Main Cast
- John Travolta as Chili Palmer, a shrewd Hollywood producer turned music mogul who uses his street smarts to manage talent and resolve conflicts. Chili's arc involves leveraging his film industry experience to thrive amid music business intrigue.
- Uma Thurman as Edie Athens, the resilient owner of a struggling record label who partners with Chili to revive her company. Edie's journey emphasizes her determination to protect her late husband's legacy.
- Vince Vaughn as Raji (full name Roger "Raji" Lowenthal), an ambitious and scheming talent manager with flashy mannerisms and underworld ties. Raji's over-the-top antics drive much of the comedic tension.
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Elliot Wilhelm, a imposing bodyguard with unfulfilled acting aspirations who evolves under Chili's mentorship. Elliot's journey from bodyguard to performer highlights themes of reinvention and self-discovery.
- Cedric the Entertainer as Sin LaSalle, a charismatic gangster rapper entangled in label disputes and rivalries. Sin's arc explores his dual life balancing street credibility with business ambitions.
- Christina Milian as Linda Moon, an aspiring singer whose talent Chili seeks to promote, central to the music industry conflicts.
Supporting Cast
- Harvey Keitel as Nick Carr, a sleazy music promoter scheming with Raji to control Linda Moon's contract.[29]
- Danny DeVito as Martin Weir, a veteran actor from Chili's film days who offers humorous advice on Hollywood transitions.[30] This role serves as a cameo nod to the prequel Get Shorty.
- James Gandolfini as Bear, a brutish hitman hired for enforcement in the escalating conflicts.[20]
- Robert Pastorelli as Joe "Loop" Lupino, a hitman who kills the Bear and becomes entangled in the conflicts.[31]
- James Woods as Tommy Athens, Chili's friend and murdered record executive whose death propels the story.
- André Benjamin (André 3000) as Dabu, Sin LaSalle's right-hand man involved in the label rivalries.
Notable Cameos
- The Black Eyed Peas as themselves, appearing in a musical performance sequence.[20]
- Steven Tyler and Joe Perry (of Aerosmith) as themselves, performing in a key concert scene that underscores the film's music theme.[27]
Music
Soundtrack
The Be Cool soundtrack is a compilation album featuring licensed popular songs and new recordings used in the 2005 film, released on March 1, 2005, by TVT Soundtrax.[32][33] The album emphasizes a diverse range of genres including funk, soul, hip-hop, and pop to mirror the movie's exploration of the music industry, with contributions from established artists and emerging talents tied to the production.[34] John Travolta, who reprises his role as Chili Palmer, appears on the closing track "Be Cool" alongside co-star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, rapping in character to cap the album's thematic tie-in.[35] The soundtrack includes several new recordings created specifically for the project, such as "Hollywood Divide" by the Black Eyed Peas, which critiques industry glamour, and two tracks by Christina Milian—"Ain't No Reason" and "Believer"—to promote her role as an aspiring singer in the story.[34] Licensing agreements facilitated cross-promotion, with artists like OutKast contributing "She Lives in My Lap" (featuring Rosario Dawson) and Elton John & k.d. lang providing a duet cover of "More" to blend classic influences with contemporary vibes.[33] Songs like 2Pac's "Ghetto Gospel" and Edwin Starr's "War" are integrated into pivotal scenes to heighten the film's satirical take on record label dynamics and cultural clashes.[36]| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Fantasy" | Earth, Wind & Fire | 3:46 |
| 2 | "Hollywood Swinging" | Kool & the Gang | 3:26 |
| 3 | "Be Thankful for What You Got" | William DeVaughn | 5:45 |
| 4 | "Roda" | Elis Regina | 3:17 |
| 5 | "Sexy" | Black Eyed Peas | 4:06 |
| 6 | "Suga Suga (Reggae Remix)" | Baby Bash feat. Ninel Doce | 3:24 |
| 7 | "The Boss" | James Brown | 3:15 |
| 8 | "Ain't No Reason" | Christina Milian | 4:01 |
| 9 | "Believer" | Christina Milian | 3:18 |
| 10 | "More" | Elton John & k.d. lang | 4:25 |
| 11 | "She Lives in My Lap" | OutKast feat. Rosario Dawson | 4:28 |
| 12 | "Hollywood Divide" | Black Eyed Peas | 4:17 |
| 13 | "Ghetto Gospel" | 2Pac | 3:58 |
| 14 | "War" | Edwin Starr | 3:48 |
| 15 | "Be Cool" | The Rock & John Travolta | 1:45 |
