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The Cooler (2003)

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The Cooler (2003)

2003 | Drama | Romance

103 mins

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Produced by Lions Gate Films
Director Wayne Kramer
Writer Frank Hannah
Cast William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Maria Bello, Ron Livingston, Paul Sorvino, Arthur J. Nascarella, Shawn Hatosy and Estella Warren

Images And Data Courtesy Of: Lions Gate Films.
This content (including text, images, videos and other media) is published and used in accordance with Fair Use.

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The Cooler (2003) Reviews & Ratings (3)
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TheDefunctDiva (304 KP) rated

Sep 26, 2017  
The Cooler (2003)
The Cooler (2003)
2003 | Drama, Romance
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The acting, the script (0 more)
William H. Macy could always have more lines... (0 more)
C is for Cash Money
Contains spoilers, click to show
As a tribute to Sue Grafton, I shall use the alphabet to inspire catchy titles. Because I am a nerd like that. Caution, ye land lubbers: ahead be spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.

The Cooler is a tale of contrast: good luck is pitted against bad luck, and old is seen in stark contrast to new. We are immediately introduced to Bernie Lootz, an individual with such phenomenally bad luck that it is actually contagious. Bound by obligation and a misguided sense of loyalty to his boss, Shelly Kaplow, Bernie works at the Golden Shangri-La Casino as a “cooler.” His presence at a table can cause a winning streak to instantaneously turn sour. The unfortunate Bernie is no stranger to pain: his boss and supposed friend, Shelly, once shattered his kneecap with a baseball bat. Bernie also has great difficulty with his other personal relationships. His estranged son, with whom Bernie hopes for reconciliation, immediately swindles the hapless fellow.

To make matters worse for Bernie, who wants nothing more than to be done with Vegas, Shelly is battling his own brand of misfortune. New management is suggesting a re-haul of the establishment he helmed for 16 years. Shelly argues for the casino to limp along as it is, and maintain the traditions originated by the mafia. He desperately and unfairly clings to Bernie, who remains an unwilling symbol of these old practices.

William H. Macy breaks my heart in every movie that I've seen him in. This film, where Macy expertly depicts the "unluckiest man in Vegas," offers no exception to that rule. There is a familiar vulnerability he lends to each facial expression that simultaneously earns my respect and pity. Bernie Lootz is a human being with a seemingly supernatural ability to receive, harness, and project bad luck. This requires some suspension of disbelief on the part of the viewer, and Macy is one of the few actors capable of making such a concept convincing.

Maria Bello is cast alongside Macy as a waitress and Bernie's love interest, Natalie. As often mentioned in the script, she seems entirely out of Bernie's league. And yet, the skilled actors created a romance which seemed entirely natural after the first evening's awkwardness. And as the two progress to love, Lootz's luck begins to change, as it does for the Casino patrons he comes into contact with. His presence becomes a blessing instead of a curse, putting his unwanted career path and his lady love in danger.

The man pulling the strings (or breaking the kneecaps, as it were) at the Golden Shangri-La is no other than Jack Donaghy...er, Alec Baldwin. Baldwin's performance rightfully garnered several awards and nominations, including an Oscar nod. Shelly is handsome, old school, and at times, utterly terrifying. He is resistant to change, often violently so. He cannot reconcile his ideals with the Vegas brand of commercialized progress, and he takes out his frustrations on friend and foe alike.

This film also featured a small but powerful role played by Paul Sorvino. Buddy Stafford has the voice of an angel, but a demon of a drug habit, and he provided an excellent foil for Shelly's beliefs in maintaining tradition.

The Cooler is too gritty a film to call "cute," but that's currently the only word coming to mind. It has something for the mob-lover and the romantic in everyone. And you should watch this little love story lest I should make things uncomfortable for you in the future, you know what I'm sayin'???
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Dean (6927 KP) rated

Sep 10, 2018  
The Cooler (2003)
The Cooler (2003)
2003 | Drama, Romance
7
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A good drama film. A guy blessed with bad luck is hired by a 2nd string Las Vegas casino to "cool" any tables where someone is winning too much. After meeting a waitress (Maria Bello) at the casino could his luck change and what will his boss do if it does? Underrated film many have probably not heard of but quite enjoyable if a bit slow to start.