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A Cool, Dry Place Review: There are so few tearjerkers that can make the male of the species reach for a tissue that when a good one comes along the temptation is to trumpet it from the tallest box of Kleenex. A Cool, Dry Place is one such film. This even-handed family drama has "chick flick" written all over it, but Vince Vaughn is so engaging and manly (he's a high-powered attorney who coaches little league basketball on the side) that men will be drawn into the story along with the female viewers. No doubt there are plenty of single men who have found themselves trying to balance the emotional needs of a young family with the time and energy required to excel at the job; add to that the delicate issue of introducing a new love to a young son and dealing with a perhaps psychotic ex-wife. Director John N. Smith and the screenwriters have skillfully updated the Kramer Vs. Kramer divorce saga for late-'90s audiences, planting emotional landmines that catch the viewer by surprise. The seemingly sensitive Monica Potter becomes a shrewish threat to Vaughn and his beguiling five-year-old son, convincingly played by Bobby Moat; Joey Lauren Adams, who in lesser roles can set an audience's teeth on edge, is so convincing as the giving, caring new girlfriend that one has no wish other than to see Vaughn end up with her. But this isn't The Courtship of Eddie's Father by any means, and the choices Vaughn has to make are difficult and heartbreaking. See A Cool, Dry Place with a friend -- and a hankie. Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide

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