“Be Cool” (MGM)
John Travolta is the epitome of cool, and he is never as cool as when he is playing the ultra-cool Chili Palmer. He originated the role in the film “Get Shorty” and he reprises it in the sequel “Be Cool.” Both films are based on books by Elmore Leonard and Mr. Leonard’s clever way with a plot and a phrase shines through loud and clear.
In “Be Cool” Chili has decided to forgo the moviemaking business for a turn at record production. He has his eye on a bright, talented singer named Linda Moon (Christina Milian). She is under contract to a man named Raji (Vince Vaughn) but Chili doesn’t see that as a problem. Raji thinks otherwise, as does his bodyguard (The Rock) and his partner Nick Carr (Harvey Keitel). They make plans to do harm to Chili.
Meanwhile Chili joins forces with record producer Sin LaSalle (Cedric the Entertainer) and Record Company owner Edie Athens (Uma Thurman). They even bring in Steve Tyler (as himself) to help promote Linda.
The fun of the film is in the characters. Raji is a white hip hop speaking idiot, while The Rock plays a gay wanna be actor. Chili, as mentioned, is the epitome of cool while Edie is a love interest for him and an able dance partner for a samba number.
Not all of the jokes work in this movie but they fly so fast and furiously that if you don’t like one, just wait, there are ten more on their way. Plus the plotting is a clever case of who’s zooming who. There are double crosses on top of double crosses. And through it all glides Travolta oozing charm and charisma. He is the center of “Be Cool” and he holds it together.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
“Be Cool” is a movie to be seen just for the humor and fun it provides. There is no deep message to the film, no ambiguous plot lines. It is just a movie to relax and enjoy from start to finish.
Elmore Leonard is the master of the cool novel. He has provided the story for a cool movie and they have hired Mr. Cool himself to star.
I scored “Be Cool” a chilly 7 out of 10.
