One Night at McCool's

This week's easiest comedy pick is One Night at McCool's. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. With 381 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Matt Dillon is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

There is a reason One Night at McCool's keeps coming up in conversation. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate One Night at McCool's from the crowd. On an ordinary night, in an ordinary part of town, a beautiful young woman walks into a bar. Her name is Jewel, and before long she is chatting to bartender Randy. The pair leave together, but he ends up getting into a tussle with her criminal boyfriend, who she then shoots dead, later persuading Randy to take the rap for her. Between them, Matt Dillon and Liv Tyler carry the comedy without ever forcing it. It was released in 2001. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and One Night at McCool's holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, One Night at McCool's respects your intelligence. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Matt Dillon sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.

One Night at McCool's was released in 2001, directed by Harald Zwart. The full 93-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.