Cookie's Fortune

A Robert Altman film, Cookie's Fortune takes place in the small town of Holly Springs, Mississippi. It's a simple, quiet place with peaceful, kind residents. On the eve of Easter Sunday, pushy community theater director Camille Dixon and her shy sister Cora are shocked to find that their Aunt Jewel Mae "Cookie" Orcutt committed suicide. Terrified how this will reflect on the family name, Camille destroys Cookie's suicide note and convinces Cora to help her make it look like a robbery. Once the police are on the scene, their only suspect is Willis Richland, a well-liked local man who also happened to be Cookie's best friend. Everyone is convinced of Willis's innocence, including Cora's estranged daughter Emma who recently returned to town. A visiting investigator takes over the case and is determined to dig up some of the town's best-kept secrets. As Easter Sunday arrives and Camille's play opens, the truth comes out in ways that no one could have ever imagined.

This show provides examples of:
"Emma: What is wrong with people?!"
 * AB Negative: The other bloodtype found at the crime scene. It ends up
 * Blonde Brunette Redhead: Camille, Emma, Cora.
 * Bunny Ears Lawyer: The town has only one attorney and he's a little off. He reads  while still wearing his costume from Camille's play.
 * Chekhov's Gun:
 * Cookie's "C" necklace.
 * The loose door on the gun cabinet.
 * The cut on  finger.
 * Crying Wolf:
 * The Dog Bites Back:  gets revenge on Camille.
 * Eat the Evidence: Camille eats Cookie's suicide note to make her death look like murder.
 * Eccentric Townsfolk
 * Family Relationship Switcheroo: Emma finds out her mother is not Cora, but her "aunt" Camille.
 * Gory Discretion Shot: Cookie places a pillow over her face before shooting herself in the head. We see a little blood spatter on the wall and the feathers float in the air.
 * Ironic Echo: "Only crazy people commit suicide."
 * Luke I Am Your Father / Family Relationship Switcheroo:
 * Manipulative Bitch: Camille. Especially to Cora.
 * Mistaken for Murderer: Willis, somewhat. Practically no one believes he killed Cookie.
 * Only Sane Woman:


 * Quirky Town
 * School Play: Camille directs a local church production of Salome. It has the same aesthetic as a school production.
 * Shrinking Violet: Cora. She's probably been under Camille's thumb her entire life.
 * Swallow the Key: Camille eats Cookie's suicide note.
 * Upperclass Twit: Camille is one.