Cool is king in ‘Cool’
PEGGY J. ROGERS
John Travolta is the king of cool. His ability to radiate a natural
aura of coolness in his breakout hit “Saturday Night Fever,” and
comeback cult favorites “Pulp Fiction” and “Get Shorty” translated
into box office gold. His newest film, “Be Cool,” resurrects Chili
Palmer (Get Shorty), the former shylock turned movie producer.
Ready to move on to new career challenges, Chili makes the move
from films to music. And his good fortune provides him with his entry
-- young and gifted singer Linda Moon (Christina Milian). All that
stands between Chili promoting the promising diva is her manager
(Harvey Keitel), one of her producers (Vince Vaughn), his gay
bodyguard (The Rock), another manager (Cedric the Entertainer) and
his nephew, Dabu (Andre Benjamin).
All the while Chili must avoid being whacked by the Russian Mafia
and an independent hit man. Through it all Chili has time to woo and
protect the beautiful recently widowed Edie (Uma Thurman).
Chili Palmer is so cool that his problems bounce off him like
bullets off of Superman’s chest. Being cool is what gives everyone
their strength, wisdom and power. Being cool is what everyone in the
film strives for.
“Be Cool” remains in perpetual motion from the beginning to ending
credits. With more than seven characters and subplots to introduce,
develop and resolve, plus musical numbers, a little basketball, a
meeting with a rock icon and outsmarting the cops, “Be Cool” holds
your attention. It gives your mind a rest and makes you laugh at the
silliness of the characters.
The Rock sizzles as the gay bodyguard. He evolves from a mean thug
to a vain actor and so-so singer. In every scene, he exposes a
different side.
Vaughn, however, fizzles as a white guy wanna-be-in-the-hood. His
character remains a jerk throughout the film, a virtual bore. “Be
Cool” cannot be considered one of Travolta’s best or most popular
works, nor can it be tagged as one of his worst.
* PEGGY J. ROGERS, 40, produces commercial videos and
documentaries.
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