Genre: Crime/Biography/Drama
Director: Bradley Cooper
Writer: Lon Charles
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Shailene Woodley, Matt Dillon, Joe Manganiello, Phoebe Dynevor, Rob McElhenney, Scott Caan, Noel Fisher, Karl Glusman, Damon Wayans Jr., Pitbull, Donna Murphy
Plot: The Early 1980s... Music and theater promoter Roy Radin (Bradley Cooper) is informed by his associate Dickie Gersch (Noel Fisher) that tickets are not selling well for the Eddie Fisher concert they are promoting. Roy laughs off Dickie's concerns, stating he doesn't expect a has-been 1950s heartthrob to sell well today. Dickie scratches his head. Roy goes on to explain that he wouldn't be the successful promoter he is or a millionaire by the age of 20 if he didn't know how to sell a show people don't want to buy tickets for. Roy scans through the newspaper until he sees an article about an upcoming benefit for the New York City Children's Hospital. He puts on his favorite tie and takes a trip down to the hospital's offices. He notices that the woman (Donna Murphy) running the office is middle-aged and whispers "jackpot" to himself. He asks her if she is familiar with Eddie Fisher. The woman's eyes instantly light up. Roy flashes his biggest smile and goes on to explain that he would like to sell the hospital a block of tickets to an upcoming Eddie Fisher concert at a highly discounted rate for them to use as prizes at their upcoming benefit. The woman tries explaining that she isn't really in charge of those sort of things. Roy turns his charm up an extra notch and insists that it will be a win-win situation - no, a win-win-win situation where everybody wins. The office manager looks around, then writes Roy a check for the tickets. Roy thanks her for her time, and says that he hopes he sees her at the show. Weeks later, Roy decides to check in on the Eddie Rivers concert. The venue is sparsely attended, despite signs out front declaring it SOLD OUT. Inside, he notices the office manager in the front row. He smiles and has a bartender bring her a drink.
Roy checks in on his friend Ron Sisman (Karl Glusman) who is photographing a sexy modeling shoot with actress Melonie Haller (Phoebe Dynevor). Roy chats with them after the shoot. Melonie complains that her career has not been doing so hot since her contract on "Welcome Back, Kotter" wasn't renewed. Ron mentions that Roy works in the music and theater industry, so he might be a good contact for her. Roy pulls out a small bag of cocaine and asks if she would like to partake. After snorting a rail, Roy tells Melonie that while he has made his fortune in music a theater, what he really wants to do is head out to Hollywood and make a movie. Roy unbuttons the top button of Melonie's dress and suggests he could always keep her in mind for a role once he's out there. Not long after, Roy and Melonie are having sex in a restroom stall. As they finish up and snort up the last of the cocaine, Roy invites Melonie to a dinner party he's throwing that weekend and writes his address on a match book.
Melonie arrives at Roy's large Long Island mansion for his party. When she steps inside, she quickly realizes that there are no other women there. Roy comes over and greets her, offering to walk her around and introduce her to the other wealthy, influential men there. After handing her a stiff drink, a bump of cocaine and a tab of LSD, Roy leads Melonie down into the basement of his mansion where several men are standing around a bed naked. Ron stands behind a video camera and asks Roy if she is ready. Roy gives Melonie a kiss on the cheek and nods his head. He tells Melonie to sit down on the bed. The naked men begin to pull Melonie's clothes off as she struggles against them. Roy jokes that she wasn't so shy the other day. The naked men begin to surround Melonie as Roy leaves the room. The video camera continues rolling. In the morning, a disoriented Melonie is taken to the train station by Dickie. He puts a few hundred dollar bills in her pocket. A few days later, Roy is met at his house by a group of detectives who want to ask him about the rape and assault of a Ms. Melonie Haller. Roy smiles at the officers and explains that Melonie heard he threw some wild, very erotic parties recently and asked him for an invitation. Roy insists that Melonie was a willing participant in some sadomasochistic sex games at the party, but that nothing illegal had taken place on the night in question. While searching Roy's mansion for clues to substantiate Melonie's claims against him, they find some drugs and an unregistered handgun. Roy claims the drugs are just for personal use. A judge gives him three years of probation for the drugs and the gun, and suggests he hold off on any more wild parties for a while. Roy nods.
With his legal troubles in the past, Roy decides to head out to Los Angeles for a while to finally try his hand at breaking into Hollywood. Dickie asks him if now is the best time with the promotion business not thriving since the legal issue. Roy seemingly ignores Dickie's comments and tells him to hold down the fort and continue promoting their slate of performances using their time-tested methods. Dickie tries to tell Roy that he doesn't know how to pull that off, but Roy is already out the door. He takes a private plane to Los Angeles. As soon as he's in California, Roy invites an old friend, Demond Wilson (Damon Wayans Jr.) - star of "Stanford and Son", out for lunch on the beach. Over lunch, Roy reminds Demond of all the work he gave him in the theater scene when Demond was trying to make a name for himself in show business. Demond says that he is definitely grateful for everything Roy has done for him, but asks what exactly Roy is angling for. Roy asks Demond if he knows any drug dealers. Demond confesses that he's trying to live a clean life these days, but that he was invited to a party that night and Roy could surely find someone there to supply his habit.
Roy arrives at the party in the Hollywood Hills and begins asking around for cocaine, quickly being pointed in the direction of Karen Greenberger (Shailene Woodley) and her boyfriend Bobby Lowe (Rob McElhenney). Roy asks for a sample of her product. Bobby glares at Roy for such a question. Karen asks Roy if he is a cop. Roy explains who he is and that he came out to the West Coast to make a movie. His explanation is good enough for her and she leads him to the bathroom without Bobby. Roy asks why Bobby didn't come with them. Karen explains that Bobby isn't really part of her drug distribution business - he just started his own limousine company. Karen sets up some sample lines of cocaine on a small mirror. Roy expertly snorts them up. He compliments the quality of her stuff - not quite Florida good, but better than he was expecting in California. Karen asks Roy what his movie is about. Roy says he doesn't a script yet, but he doesn't plan on leaving California until he has a film set up as a producer somewhere. Karen tells Roy that she knows just the person he needs to meet: Robert Evans.
Karen and Roy ride in one of Bobby's limousines to the famous Woodlands mansion of Robert Evans. Karen and Roy walk inside while Bobby stays with the car. Through the hallways of the mansion, Karen and Roy walk past posters from the various hit films Evans was involved with: Chinatown, The Godfather, Serpico, Rosemary's Baby, Love Story, The Conversation, and so on. They finally find the ever-bronze Robert Evans (Matt Dillon) laying by the pool, working on his tan. When he sees that it is Karen who has arrived, he ushers Karen and Roy inside. He takes them to his office, closes the doors and curtains. He then pulls out a small device that scans the room for recording devices. Roy tells Robert that it is an honor to meet him. Robert eyes Roy suspiciously until Karen mentions that Roy is a friend that wants to make a movie. Robert insists that he and Karen conduct their business before he discusses anything else. She pulls a large bag of cocaine out of a bag and places it on Robert's desk - right next to an Oscar statue. Robert then hands Karen an envelope full of cash. Less on edge now, Robert invites them to have a seat and asks Roy what type of movie he wants to make. Roy fumbles his words as he talks about background in the world of New York nightclubs and theaters. Robert walks away while Roy is talking and begins fumbling through a giant stack of scripts until he finds on. He tosses it in front of Roy. The title reads: THE COTTON CLUB. Roy gets excited and begins telling Robert all about how his father owned a speak-easy just like the Cotton Club. Robert suggests that Roy come down to the Paramount studio lot later in the week and he can show him around while they work out business details. Roy and Karen leave the mansion and head back out to Bobby's limo. In the back, Roy pops open a bottle of champagne, accidentally spilling it all over the interior. Bobby rolls down the partition and begins berating Roy for spraying champagne all over his new limo. Karen calms Bobby down and suggests they have a party to celebrate their upcoming film with Robert Evans.
Karen introduces Roy to some old friends: Will Mentzer (Joe Manganiello) and Alex Marti (Scott Caan). She explains that they used to be the personal bodyguards of Hustler founder Larry Flynt alongside Bobby. They begin telling stories of some of the debauchery they witnessed on that job, but Roy isn't very impressed, commenting that he had wilder stuff going on in his basement back home in New York. Will and Alex immediately don't like Roy's attitude, but Karen diffuses the situation and announces that she has a way for everyone to get along and have a good time. She clears some books and candles off the top of a glass coffee table and replaces it with a giant pile of cocaine.
Robert Evans shows Roy around the Paramount Lot where Roy recognizes several stars just milling about. Robert then leads Roy to his production bungalow on the backlot and says they should start discussing business. Robert tells Roy that he already has $13 million of his money invested in The Cotton Club. If Roy can at least match that commitment, he can start a production company to officially produce the film that they will each own 45% of - with the other ten percent of the company going to outside investors. Roy excitedly agrees and Robert asks him how soon he can get the money together. Roy says it won't be a problem at all and he can get the money soon. Robert stresses that it needs to happen quickly or he'll just have to produce the film with someone else. Roy feels a sense of panic and tells Robert that won't have to happen.
From his suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Roy calls Dickie back in New York to ask him to send him whatever money his company has. Dickie breaks it to Roy that there isn't much money in the company accounts, certainly not the $13 million Roy is wanting to withdraw. Roy grows angry and demands to know why. Dickie tries to calmly explain that without Roy in New York moving tickets how he does, most of the events have lost money. Dickie apologizes and Roy hangs up the phone. Just then, there is a knock at his hotel door. Roy answers the door and finds Karen there with Will and Alex. Roy asks what brings her there and she says that she just wanted to talk to him. Roy reluctantly lets them into the room. Karen asks Roy why he made a deal without her. Roy sits down with his head in his hands and tells her that there may be no deal after all. She sits down next to him and asks what the problem is. Roy looks over at Will and Alex who are standing by the door. Karen notices this and asks the two men to wait out in the hallway. Karen then reaches her hand down Roy's pants as she asks him what the problem is with the Cotton Club deal. Karen strokes away inside Roy's pants as he explains that since he came out to Hollywood his businesses back in New York haven't been doing so well and it doesn't look like he has the cash Robert Evans needs him to be involved in the production. She asks him how much more money he needs. Roy says that he can sell off his properties and companies in New York and easily bring in $10 million, but that might take a little time - time Robert Evans said he doesn't have. Roy says he doesn't know where he'd get the other $3 million though. Karen says she can make another introduction that may benefit him. Roy then climaxes. Karen removes her hand from Roy's pants and goes to wash her hands.
Roy, Karen and Will take a private plane to Miami, Florida. As they sit and drink mimosas on the plane, Karen explains that they are on their way to meet her drug supplier. Roy doesn't quite believe that a drug kingpin is going to lend him money, but Karen explains that she and Will go way back with him, making it Roy's best shot at a $3 million loan. When the plane lands, they take a limo to a large beachfront mansion to meet Milan Bellechesses (Pitbull). Milan gives Will a big bear-hug and gives Karen a long kiss on the lips. He then looks over at Roy, scanning him up and down, before finally extending his hand. Roy shakes it and they are all brought out to Milan's deck that looks out over the ocean. Milan tells Roy that he hears he needs a loan. Roy nods his head. Milan pulls out a large knife, making Roy nervous, but he then starts slicing up a mango with it. Milan chews on a mango slice as he thinks about the idea. He then tells Roy that he can lend him the $3 million he needs, but he wants a piece of the movie Roy's producing. Roy immediately agrees to the deal. Milan snaps his fingers and two briefcases are brought out to him: one filled with cash and the other filled with cocaine. He hands the cash to Roy and the cocaine to Karen. At the airport in Florida, Roy calls Robert Evans to inform him that has $3 million for him now and he will be able to get him the other $10 million once the sale of his house in New York is finalized. Robert says that is great news and tells Roy to call him as soon as he has all $13 million before hanging up on Roy.
Back in California, Karen gets back to her apartment and realizes that $250,000 and 11 kilos of cocaine are missing from her stash. She asks Bobby about it, but he has no clue what could have happened. Karen discusses the matter with Will and Alex, who suggest that maybe Roy hired someone to do it during the Florida trip. Karen thinks that sounds unlikely but doesn't rule it out. Meanwhile, Roy brings the suitcase with $3 million to Robert Evans' mansion. Roy tells him that he got a loan from Milan Bellechesses for $3 million while he waits for the rest from New York City. Robert explains that he doesn't like the idea of Roy borrowing money from a drug dealers since he is still looking over his shoulder all the time following his own drug arrest a few years prior. Roy says he understands and goes up to leave without the suitcase. Robert stops him and tells him to take the $3 million with him - he needs all $13 million or nothings if their arrangement is going to work as planned.
Roy stops by Karen's apartment. She asks if he's there to buy. Roy says he has a gift for her. Karen lets him and makes him a drink. Roy then hands her an envelope. She looks inside, seeing a stack of cash. She asks what it is for. Roy says that it $50,000 - a standard finder's fee for introducing him to Robert Evans. Karen stops making the drink. She becomes belligerent, stating she expected a piece of the Cotton Club proceeds, not some finder's fee. Roy asks her why she would get anything out of the film. She throws a bottle of alcohol at Roy, which he just barely dodges, and says that she set up the whole thing when she introduced Roy to Robert Evans and to Milan Bellechesses. There would be no Cotton Club film deal without her. Roy hurries out of the apartment, leaving the $50,000 with Karen. Later, Karen stops by Robert Evans' mansion for a delivery. After receiving payment from him, Karen asks Robert why he and Roy are trying to cut her out of the Cotton Club movie deal. Robert says that she needs to take that up with Roy since he doesn't know that situation they have going on.
Roy talks to Dickie over the phone, who informs Roy that the all the deals with Roy's properties are done and $10 million is sitting there in the accounts now. Roy is ecstatic when the phone call is over. He does a celebratory line of cocaine when the phone begins ringing in his hotel suite. When Roy answers, he is surprised to hear Karen's voice on the other end of the line. She says that she is calling to apologize for her behavior, explaining that some money and drugs were stolen from her apartment and she took her anger out on him. She tells him that as an apology, she would like to take him out to dinner. Roy wants Karen to admit that the finder's fee was generous before he agrees. Karen begrudgingly thanks Roy for his generous finder's fee. Roy then accepts her dinner invitation. She tells him that she and Bobby will pick him up in a limo later that night.
As the dinner time comes closer, Roy starts to feel nervous. He calls up Demond Wilson and asks him to come over to the hotel for something important. When Demond arrives, Roy quietly tells him that might have gotten into some business with the wrong people and is worried what they might do. Roy then explains that a limo will be picking him up soon. He would like Demond to follow the limo in his car to make sure things don't go wrong. Demond agrees and waits out in front of the hotel in his car. Soon, Bobby pulls up in front of the hotel in his limousine. Karen gets out and greets Roy in the lobby with a kiss on the cheek. The two then get into the back of the limo before Bobby drives away from the hotel. Demond follows behind in his own car. Bobby recognizes that they are being followed and runs a red light. Demond slams on his brakes, watching as the limo slowly gets away.
In the hills near the Hollywood sign, the limo suddenly stops. Roy looks around and realizes that they are nowhere near any restaurant. Roy, with a worried look, asks Karen what exactly she wants. Karen says that she just wants what Roy owes her. Roy expresses confusion over what she thinks he owes her. She begins ranting about how first he screwed her out of the Cotton Club deal, then had someone steal drugs and money from her apartment to help him fund the deal. Roy vehemently denies stealing anything from her. Karen says it doesn't matter now and gets out of the limo. Will and Alex then enter the back of limo on each side and point guns at Roy. Bobby then starts to drive north away from the city. Roy begins crying in the back, pleading that he doesn't know where everything went wrong but that he will give them whatever they want if they let him go. Alex is about to start talking to Roy, but Will cuts him off, reminding him that Karen hired them to do a job and they need to remain loyal to her. Will then motions to the blubbering mess that Roy has become and says that you can't do business with any man that will cry like that.
Bobby pulls the limo over along a remote canyon far away from the city. Will and Alex drag Roy out of the back of the car. Roy has stopped crying now and seems resigned to his fate. Will and Alex drag Roy down into the canyon. Roy finally begins fighting back and trying to get away, but Will and Alex begin beating him. Will then pulls a stick of dynamite and shoves it into Roy's mouth. Roy's eyes go wide and he stops resisting. Will and Alex pull their guns out and each fire five shots into Roy's body. Will then walks over and lights the fuse of the dynamite that still sits in Roy's mouth. Will and Alex run away as the dynamite explodes. Will and Alex get back into the limo. The limo drives away in the darkness, back toward Los Angeles.
- Detectives did not solve the murder for several years. They got their first lead several years after the murder when Larry Flynt's brother-in-law heard Will Mentzer and Alex Marti discussing the murder at a party.
- Eight years after the murder, Karen Greenberger, Bobby Lowe, Will Mentzer and Alex Marti were all convicted for their involvement in the murder of Roy Radin. Karen and Bobby were convicted of second-degree murder and kidnapping, while Will and Alex were convicted of first-degree murder. All four were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
- Robert Evans was a suspect in the murder initially and was eventually called to testify at the trial, but he invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid incriminating himself in Karen's drug business.
- The Cotton Club was released in 1984, produced by Robert Evans. The film was a major box office flop, losing money for all the financiers on the project.
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