Cook County (2008)

Director:

David Pomes

Writer:

David Pomes (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Awards:

4 wins

Cast

Anson Mount	...	Bump
Xander Berkeley	...	Sonny
Ryan Donowho	...	Abe
Polly Cole	...	Lucy
Rutherford Cravens	...	Fat Earl
Makenna Fitzsimmons	...	Deandra
Brandon Smith	...	Wayne
John McClain	...	Uncle JD
Yankie Grant	...	Aunt Sally
J.D. Hawkins	...	Peanut
Gary Chason	...	Mr. Jimmy
Lisa Williams	...	Miss Debbie
Toby Lister	...	Bill Jenkins
Tommy Townsend	...	Pee Paw
Scott Nankivel	...	Luke

Runtime:

Argentina:93 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente) | USA:93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

6-Track Stereo (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Cleveland, Texas, USA

Company:

Greenwood Films

An Excellent Film about the Horrors of Meth Addiction

Cook County premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX. This excellent feature from first time writer/director David Pomes provides a disturbing look at the horrors of Meth addiction which, until now, has been mostly chronicled - if at all - in documentary films. There have been many excellent features on the highly cinematic issue of drug addiction including to name, but a few of the very best, Leaving Las Vegas, Trainspotting, and Requiem for a Dream. Cook County, while not quite as good as these classics, falls into their tradition.

One reason that Meth addiction seems to be underreported in the media and rarely seen on screen is that it is a problem of rural America. American films are mostly set in urban and suburban areas and often seem to be barely aware of the existence, much less the difficulties and complexities of life in rural America.

The story is a powerful one of a family in the complete meltdown of Meth addiction. The affect of the family crisis on the 6-year-old little girl are particularly disturbing to watch. The script is excellent. The characters and their relationships to each other are well-developed. The acting is excellent - particularly Ryan Donowho is particularly good.

The scenes of the characters using Meth that show how it affects their behavior and judgment are compelling and very believable. There are a few places where elements of the plot are left ambiguous and its difficult to tell if the confusion is the result of poor editing or intentional ambiguity. But these flaws are minor and ultimately unimportant.

This is an important film and it deserves wider distribution since so many people are unaware of the dangers of Meth addiction.