Be Cool (2005)

Disenchanted with the movie industry, Chili Palmer (John Travolta) tries the music industry, meeting and romancing a widow of a music exec (Uma Thurman) on the way.

Director:

F. Gary Gray

Writers:

Elmore Leonard (novel), Peter Steinfeld (screenplay)

Stars:

John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn

1 win & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Travolta	...	Chili Palmer
Uma Thurman	...	Edie Athens
Vince Vaughn	...	Raji
Cedric the Entertainer	...	Sin LaSalle
André Benjamin	...	Dabu
Steven Tyler	...	Himself
Robert Pastorelli	...	Joe Loop
Christina Milian	...	Linda Moon
Paul Adelstein	...	Hy Gordon
Debi Mazar	...	Marla
Gregory Alan Williams	...	Darryl (as GregAlan Williams)
Harvey Keitel	...	Nick Carr
Dwayne Johnson	...	Elliot Wilhelm (as The Rock)
Danny DeVito	...	Martin Weir
James Woods	...	Tommy Athens

Storyline

Streetwise mobster-turned-movie producer Chili Palmer is back, but this time Chili has abandoned the fickle movie industry and veered into the music business, tangling with Russian mobsters and gangsta rappers and taking a talented, feisty young singer named Linda Moon under his wing. From the recording studio to an Aerosmith concert to the MTV Music Awards, he manipulates events to watch them play out the Chili way, using his signature blend of wiseguy skills and negotiation tactics. It's a dangerous business, and everyone's looking for their next big hit.

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Plot Keywords:

widow | sequel | russian mafia | bodyguard | music business | 

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Taglines:

Everyone is looking for the next big hit

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, sensuality, and language including sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

MGM [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

4 March 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tómalo con calma

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$53,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$143,975 (Norway) (22 April 2005)

Gross:

$426,111 (South Africa) (6 May 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Jersey Films, Double Feature Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.40:1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The infamous monologue that Sin LaSalle delivered was neither in the novel nor in the early drafts of the script. The idea was put on by director F. Gary Gray who wanted Sin to be likable, but serious at the same time as well.

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Goofs

When talking to Chili and Evie, Steven Tyler says that he has never appeared in a movie up to this point and doesn't want to start now, obviously a sarcastic line as he is in the film. However, he forgot Wayne's World 2.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Chili Palmer: I hate sequels.

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Crazy Credits

In the closing credits, the various cast members are seen dancing, even the Russian "corpse".

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #26.159 (2010)

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Soundtracks

" (Everytime I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone"
Written by Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell (as Robert Blackwell), John Marascalco,
Roy E. Montrell (as Roy Montrell)
Performed by Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums
Courtesy of Rumpus Records

User Reviews

Good Movie

I went to a screening of Be Cool today and I have to say it was very entertaining. I haven't seen Get Shorty so I cant really compare the movie to anything but Vince Vaughn and The Rock were laugh out loud funny and Andre 3000 was very good in his first major role. Christina Milian was not really used to her potential as an actress but displayed her ability to sing very well. The other performances from the actors in the movie you would probably expect without any surprise. I still cant get over how funny The Rock was and am extremely pleased thats hes done so well for himself and hope he does more comedies. Overall, its a good movie that should not disappoint too many people.