A Southern Fried Delight: Cookie’s Fortune

So, I finally plopped down last weekend with some strong Swedish coffee to watch “Cookie’s Fortune,” a 1999 film by Robert Altman—yes, the same maestro who gave us “M*A*S*H” and “Nashville.” Man, this movie is like stepping into a warm, cozy Southern kitchen, filled with eccentric family drama, and just a smidgen of murder mystery.

First off, let’s chat about the cast because, wow—Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, and Charles S. Dutton light up the screen. Patricia Neal plays Cookie, and she somehow manages to be the heart of the story, even in, well… not exactly living form. And Liv Tyler! A little younger here, really bringing out that quiet charm she does so well.

The whole film is like lösgodis, those pick-and-mix candies we have back home—every bit is a different flavor, and you don’t know if you’re getting sweet or sour until it hits your tongue.

Watching it reminded me of a time when I accidentally got myself involved in solving a family dispute over an inheritance at a cousin’s crayfish party (blame the snaps and my oversized detective ego!). The film juggles familial chaos and misguided intentions just like that, with the humor and warmth you’d expect in Småland instead of Mississippi.

Altman’s touch here is both laid-back and sharp, almost like he’s saying, “Hey, life’s funny, ain’t it?” There are moments when I thought, “Maybe this scene is a bit slow?”—but isn’t that just how life is sometimes? You get lost in it, like that long talk around the fika table.

And honestly, who can resist a good lokaltidning (local newspaper) headline about a scandalous will? It’s all so… småby-esque, in a delightful way.

Whether you’ve ever been tangled in family drama or you just enjoy a bit of southern charm with your Friday night film, “Cookie’s Fortune” is worth a watch. It’s tricky, charming, and maybe even a little heartwarming—all at once. Go on, give it a whirl!

Check the trailer below