The Cooler

2003 "When your life depends on losing... the last thing you need is lady luck."
6.9| 1h41m| R| en| More Info
Released: 26 November 2003 Released
Producted By: Lions Gate Films
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

Bernie works at a Las Vegas casino, where he uses his innate ability to bring about misfortune in those around him to jinx gamblers into losing. His imposing boss, Shelly Kaplow, is happy with the arrangement. But Bernie finds unexpected happiness when he begins dating attractive waitress Natalie Belisario.

Genre

Drama, Romance

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Director

Wayne Kramer

Production Companies

Lions Gate Films

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The Cooler Audience Reviews

Alicia I love this movie so much
WasAnnon Slow pace in the most part of the movie.
Brainsbell The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.
Adeel Hail Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.
dushyant chaturvedi For the uninformed, Coolers are those who supposedly bring bad luck to the gambling table and are an old fashioned ploy by the casino bosses to make sure that the money of the house stays in the house. They are used to cool the hot winning spree of the players. The Cooler is a story which revolves around three characters, the casino boss Shelly (Alec Baldwin in his only Oscar nominated role), his cooler Bernie (William H Macy) and the woman he falls in love with, Natalie (Maria Bello). Shelly is being pestered by his other partners to have the casino renovated because they feel it is too old fashioned. In particular there is a Harvard graduate (Ron Livingston) who is giving him advice about how to run the casino. To compound matters for him, the cooler begins to lose his touch when he falls in love with a waitress who works at the casino. Shot stylishly this is a delightful movie. The jazz throughout the film gives it a nostalgic flavor. The songs playing in the background are excellent. The real strength of the film is the acting. Baldwin is intense, mean, foul mouthed and scary which is a new act for him but he pulls it off pretty well. Bello is very good as the woman who inadvertently falls in love with Macy. But this is Macy's movie out and out. He is excellent as the crippled, tense and afraid of his own luck cooler and you will find yourself rooting for him. 4 out of 5. Watch this for Macy. He will end up mesmerizing you.
namashi_1 Wayne Kramer has made remarkable cinema in 'The Cooler'. 'The Cooler' is about a 'Cooler' and his twisted life. It's film that grows on you, it's a film that succeeds in it's mission. Remarkable Direction by Kramer is the mainstay of this 'COOL' film.'The Cooler' is one of those rare films, that have a terrific start, a terrific middle and a terrific end as well. Sure it does few it's share of minuses, but at the end of the day, it's an exceptional film.Coming right away to the acting department, Alec Baldwin is fantastic in a supporting role. William H. Macy essays a very difficult part with remarkable ease and understanding! He's a great actor, hope he gets his due soon. Maria Bello looks stunning as usual and delivers a terrific performance from start to end. Shawn Hatosy and Estella Warren are passable.I just loved 'The Cooler'... so from my side, Two Thumbs Up!
greaton58 This movie has a great soundtrack and even better acting. Still, it probably falls in the love it or hate it category. Some might criticize the film for being too formulaic, or for the improbability of the plot line. I would wager a pretty tall stack of chips that those people also identify with the new Casino management, as opposed to Baldwin's character. I mean, come on, the whole film is primarily about luck, with some true love thrown in for good measure. Not exactly topics that lend themselves to the scientific method of analysis. To me, the whole thing just works. Even better, it is one of the most uplifting movies I have seen in years, in a dark, sleazy, corny, sort of way. Don't analyze it, just sit back and enjoy the ride. Who knows, you may be feeling lucky when the the credits roll.
William James Harper This film is typical of what is coming out of Hollywood these days. All it amounts to is sex, violence, drugs. The script has neither a compelling story or an interesting interaction between any of the characters. Plus the plot is based on total rubbish about a"cooler". No one can bring or take away luck from a person gambling in a casino and the movie's main character is supposed to be able to do that Yeah, right and the Tooth Fairy is for real. What makes this film utterly laughable is the happy ending. All that was missing was a sparkling rendition of "Happy Days Are Here Again" in the sound track! Don't spend a minute watching this rot.