A Cool, Dry Place (1999)

Perfect cast and a good story

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I recently saw this movie and I was not expecting it to be a good movie since it was given 2 1/2 stars and since Vince Vaughn I felt was an over-rated actor who is in the spotlight for more of his personal life than his acting. I actually liked this film and I thought that the acting was superb especially Vince Vaugn and the little boy who played his 5 year old son Calvin. Vince Vaughn played the part of a devoted, hardworking single father whose life is on the up again with the possibility of a better job at a top rated firm, new girlfriend when his wife who unexpectedly left him and his child 18 months ago suddenly reappeared into his life. He is confused and not sure whether he wants to have a relationship with his wife whom he sees is trying to be a part of their son's life or be with Joey Lauren's Adams character since it is a budding romance and there is much uncertainty.The theme of this film is simple but may hold true to a lot of people who thinks that their life would be much better if they had the dream job and failing to see that what they have currently is ideal too. The protagonist realized that when he had to make the life changing decision whether he should take the Dallas job which would mean that he would not be able to take care of his son or settle with his current job at the small town law firm in Kansas. He also learned not to blame his son for his career not moving in the direction that he wanted it to be. Once again, the acting was superb and the theme is something I feel that many people will be able to relate to which is to appreciate what you have and don't blame other people if your life don't turn out the way that you imagine. This is a film resonate with me and that I will definitely see it again. This is Vince Vaughn best acting work since I think that he got away from the dramatic role for more of the slapstick type of comedy. I think that Vaughn is a better acting in my eyes from seeing this film.

Vince Vaughn is very convincing as a single father in this film! The most intriguing feature of this film is Vince out of funny! This is my first experience with him not trying to make me laugh, and yes, he did make me cry! Torn between new love, new job, old feelings and a child, his character took me on a roller-coaster ride that didn't end until the credits rolled!!! If you see no other Vaughn movie this one is a must! Not only is the story great, but Vince is gentle and compassionate; a father that takes his job as a parent most seriously. The angst in his day-to-day struggle as a parent and a man will leave you thinking about parenthood long after the movie has ended!

Russell Durrell (Vince Vaughn) moves to rural Kansas with his son Calvin after getting fired as a trial lawyer in Chicago. His wife Kate (Monica Potter) abandoned them leaving the family shattered. Russell got a job working for his school friend and is coaching the high school basketball team. Noah is one of his troubled players. Russell starts going out with Noah's older sister Beth Ward (Joey Lauren Adams). Their lives are further complicated when Kate shows up.This is like Kramer vs Kramer but it doesn't have the same touching emotions. The kid is rather bratty and bitter. It's not unreasonable but it's off-putting. The movie tries to give him some humor with the female anatomy but it doesn't really work. Vaughn has the same feel. The three leads are great. It might be useful to see what happened in Chicago. Something is wrong with this movie but it's nothing glaring.

Here is a film that handles the crossing of roads you have started and roads yet to be taken with grace.Vince Vaughn makes the part all it could be and more. One of the best fathers I have seen in film.The writing is superb and the pace will pay off on this buried jewel.Cool, Dry Place should have succeeded Big Daddy in the box office, if Fox trusted its audience of struggling adults in a world of change.One of the best small movies out there.