Joe Mantello

Comedy about a young, lively Italian-American woman and her ex-convict father who sting the Mafia and the law. Emily Lloyd ("In Country," "Wish You Were Here") and Peter Falk ("The In-Laws," TV's "Columbo") star in this high-spirited comedy about a feisty, outspoken, streetwise teenage girl growing up in Brooklyn who manages to outsmart both the mob and the law while rebuilding her rocky relationship with her father after a long separation. Oscar-winner Dianne Wiest ("The Birdcage," "Hannah and Her Sisters") is Cookie's mother who encourages the hot-tempered father- daughter duo into loving each other. Written by Nora Ephron ("When Harry Met Sally...") and directed by Susan Seidelman ("Desperately Seeking Susan," "Making Mr. Right"), Newsday calls Emily Lloyd's portrayal "bright, sassy, funny, gaudy and beautifully sketched" and WWOR-TV calls the film "a wonderful gem of a movie...it's "The Godfather" with laughs...if you're asked to see 'Cookie', you can't refuse."

A mafia leader is just released after spending 13 years in prison. He makes up with his daughter and together they pull a real caper on the other head of the crime family, in addition to doing a con job on the local DA.

Here's the recipe. Start with a Grade-A cast (Peter Falk, Dianne Wiest, Emily Lloyd leading a smart ensemble). Add crisp one-liners by writers Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia) and Alice Arlen (Silkwood). Combine with the stylish zest of director Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan) and bake a batch of comedy perfection. In this delicious caper, paroled labor racketeer 'Dapper' Dino Capisco (Falk) is caught between a rock and a hard place when a 'politically ambitious' prosecutor schemes to put him back in jail and a deceitful partner sizes him up for concrete shoes. Dino needs an ally - smart, resourceful and who doesn't pop her chewing gum. He needs his spunky, rebellious daughter Cookie (Lloyd). But first they'll have to cross a generation gap wider than the East River.

Here's the recipe. Start with a Grade-A cast (Peter Falk, Dianne Wiest, Emily Lloyd leading a smart ensemble). Add crisp one-liners by writers Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia) and Alice Arlen (Silkwood). Combine with the stylish zest of director Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan) and bake a batch of comedy perfection. In this delicious caper, paroled labor racketeer 'Dapper' Dino Capisco (Falk) is caught between a rock and a hard place when a 'politically ambitious' prosecutor schemes to put him back in jail and a deceitful partner sizes him up for concrete shoes. Dino needs an ally - smart, resourceful and who doesn't pop her chewing gum. He needs his spunky, rebellious daughter Cookie (Lloyd). But first they'll have to cross a generation gap wider than the East River.