One Night at McCool's MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -3

Confession is good for the soul, so Carl (Paul Reiser) visits a psychiatrist (Reba MacEntire) to talk about his adulterous thoughts and acts with Jewel (Liv Tyler). Charlie (John Goodman), a police detective, tells his priest about how much Jewel looks like his dead wife. And Randy (Matt Dillon) explains how he lost his job as a bartender at McCool’s because of Jewel to Mr. Burmeister (Michael Douglas), while hiring the hit man to do away with her. It all starts one night at McCool’s when Randy saves Jewel from an apparent argument with her boyfriend. And Jewel is fascinated by Randy’s house, just like one she’s always dreamed of having. But she confesses that the argument was faked so she and her boyfriend could rob people like Randy. And the boyfriend’s death while robbing the bar, brings in Charlie to investigate. Carl, a lawyer, is Randy’s cousin who’s attracted to Jewel’s physical attributes, despite his wife and child. It may have started one night at McCool’s but audiences will laugh their way to the end of this dark comedy.

Although viewed through three people, Jewel is never quite what she seems. After her first partner is killed in McCool's, she begins living with Randy. Part of her interest is the dream of owning a house, and Randy already owns one. But to decorate it in her style, she encourages/entices Randy to take up stealing, which leads to another death. Although all the deaths could be called self-defense, the acts are somewhat cold-blooded. A massive shoot out at one point includes gory, blood spurting wounds. Several scene involve implied or graphic pre-marital sexual encounters. And Carl includes bondage fantasies. Although no explicit nudity occurs, a lot of Jewel's cleavage is frequently emphasized. Catholics will certainly object to the portrayal of a priest who drinks communion wine socially after dumping communion wafers out of the chalice. He also seems to get vicarious thrills out of the sexual confessions. And, as has become common, the dialogue features frequent obscenities and profanity. Although darkly humorous, don't spend ONE NIGHT AT McCOOL'S.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: USA Films, 9333 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210