Be Cool (2005)

Once in a while you get an off-beat comedy that attempts to tell a unique story which doesn't always resonate with audiences. Back in 1995 Get Shorty starring John Travolta as ex-mob thug Chili Palmer made something of a splash in the movie industry. Travolta's character in the film did his best to navigate his way through the world of Hollywood while trying to sell his screenplay. Ten years later a sequel of sorts was made this time focusing on the music business.

 

Once again Travolta donned the mantel of Chili Palmer, mobster-turned-movie producer. Taking place a few years after the events of the first film, Chili finds himself fed up with the business after being forced to make a useless sequel starring Martin Weir (Danny Devito). When a friend and owner of a record label Tommy Athens (James Woods) is gunned down, Chili steps in as owner on request from his friend's widow Edie Athens (Uma Thurman). As usual Chili sets out into the world of music with the same swagger he exuded in the first film.

 

Right off the bat he discovers a young and extremely talented singer named Linda Moon (Christina Milian) who poaches from a rival record producer. This incurs the wrath of said producer, Sin LaSalle (Cedric the Entertainer), and his cohorts. As Chili sets out to turn the music world upside down, he also sets his sights on the now widow Edie and being that Travolta and Thurman worked previously on Pulp Fiction there is a natural chemistry there that guides them through their scenes together. Unfortunately for Chili, being so fresh to the music biz, he unwittingly makes enemies of some Russian thugs which doesn't bode well if he wishes to help Linda make it big.

 

What really helps Chili survive this interesting turn of events is not only his experience at being a former gangster but don't expect any large shoot outs here. The only real help this brings him is the lack of fear he brings to all the situations that arise before him. But what really comes in to play throughout the whole film is the score of connections Chili has made through the years, most specifically and recently , in the form of Edie. It is sheer luck that an old friend of hers that she happened to work for years ago is able to finally aid young Linda Moon find the success she has been dreaming about since she was a small child.

 

What Get Shorty did for the film industry, Be Cool does for the music industry and that is to turn it on its head through the use of great character actors and high energy situations. With the help of funny men like Vince Vaughn and especially Dwayne Johnson who plays a role that only helps to enhance his natural charm and humor it is clear that some thought went into the casting of each of these unique characters. But it is not only the humor that sets Be Cool apart, one has to wonder if some of the things Chili learns throughout the film about the inner workings of record labels are true and if so, then it must be truly difficult to get a break in the entertainment world.  

 

Like so many others, Be Cool finally comes to Blu-ray and, again, like other DVD's before it, comes with a nice assortment of extras for the fans out there. First up is a behind-the-scenes documentary looking into the making of the film, then a few deleted scenes as well as a gag reel. Next up we have mock music video featuring Dwayne Johnson as Elliot Wilhelm "You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man".  Lastly there are some close featurettes looking at John & Uma's dance sequence, Dwayne Johnson, Andre 3000, Cedric the Entertainer, and Christina Milian as well as the theatrical trailer.

 

With all of these fun little vignettes giving us an inside scoop on the movie it is clear that the makers had as much passion making the film as well as putting the Blu-ray together and that is what makes a movie stand the test of time.