The Cooler

Rating:
Summary: Equal Parts Scorsese & Capra
Review: ... THE COOLER was one pleasant surprise, a script that cleverly juxtaposes the grim, harsh, gritty reality of the fading gambling glory days of darker Las Vegas with the whimsical 'what if' element of a character (Bernie Lutz, played winningly by William H. Macy) hired by the slimy casino manager (Alec Baldwin, playing Alec Baldwin) to pass along his seemingly endless streak of bad luck to hot table players. Throw in the only stereotypical element of the script -- a down-on-her-luck cocktail waitress who originally came to Vegas to make it big as a showgirl now trying to go legit b/c she may've found her one shot @ true love -- and you've got a capitivating character study that's as much about the people who inhabit these roles as it is the times they live in. Wonderful performances, outstanding camera work, and a complementing music score make THE COOLER one hot flick.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Premise. Flat Story and Characters.
Review: Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) is one unlucky guy. He is so unlucky that he is employed as a "cooler" at the Shangri La Casino in Las Vegas. His mere presence at the table of a gambler on a winning streak will break the streak and save the casino a fortune. But when Bernie becomes romantically involved with Natalie (Maria Bello), a waitress at the casino, his luck begins to change. Shelly (Alec Baldwin), the Shangri La's stubbornly old-fashioned manager, is frustrated by Bernie's change of luck at the same time he is adamantly resisting modernization that the casino's owner envisions will usher the business into the future.

The Las Vegas of "The Cooler" isn't family friendly or a fashionable destination for the rich and famous. This is a hardened, sleazy Vegas that isn't much removed from its mobster roots. And Shelly is an old school casino manager who resists the new glossy and respectable face of Las Vegas with all of his power. He tenaciously clings to the traditions and superstitions that served him well in years past, including the employment of coolers to combat gamblers on a hot streak. I wish the film had revolved more around the concept of coolers and shown more of the inner workings of old Vegas casinos. That might have been interesting. But "The Cooler" is a messy love story about an unlucky guy who turns out to be lucky in love. The trouble is that the love story is clichéd, and the characters are two-dimensional. Shelly seems like more of a stereotype than a character. This is the first time that William H. Macy has ever bored me. He always brings something interesting to his roles -until now. Bernie Lootz is a profoundly uninteresting person. All of the characters seem to lack a certain facet that would make them interesting, or realistic, or sympathetic, or anything that would endear them to the audience. And their behavior in the film's final act is completely nonsensical. That might not matter if there were something in the story to capture the audience's interest. But the story also lacks anything that would distinguish it. One thing I do like about "The Cooler" is that it presents Luck as a real thing, a commodity that can be quantified and traded. That's interesting. And a cooler is a virtual embodiment of bad luck. There's a good and original story there somewhere. But it isn't this film. "The Cooler" sports a talented cast in a story that fails to engage. Paul Sorvino, model Estella Warren, and In Sync crooner Joey Fatone have small supporting roles. I love gambling films, so I wish "The Cooler" had been better. But I can only recommend it to connoisseurs of Vegas movies.

Rating:
Summary: Another highlight of 2003
Review: I just came back from seeing "The Cooler" today. After seeing the trailer for "The Cooler" last month when I saw "The Station Agent", I thought the entire premise looked intriguing. I am a great admirer of William H. Macy as an actor. I always believed that he is one of Hollywood's most overlooked actors. He is definitely my favorite character actor after seeing "The Cooler" today. He plays a loveable outcast named Bernie. Bernie works for the Shangri-La casino in Las Vegas. Because Bernie is so downtrodden on himself and nothing has ever worked out for him in his life, he has this unspoken talent for passing off his bad luck on to other people. In this case, he makes gamblers who are on a winning streak at the casino, lose so the casino doesn't lose money. Alec Baldwin plays Shelly (WTF names a man 'Shelly'?), the casino manager. He is a bit of bully and under duress when his boss Nicky (James Caan) stops by the casino with a younger apprentice (Ron Livingston) whose goal is to change the casino to attract more customers to compete with other casinos in Las Vegas. Shelly doesn't care for the idea of changing the Shangri-La. In the meantime, Bernie starts hanging out with Natalie (Maria Bello). Luck starts to change for Bernie once Natalie and Bernie hooks up, good for Bernie but bad for the Shangri-La. I am not exactly a fan of Alec Baldwin as an actor but he really did put in a convincing and compelling performance as Shelly. And as much as I despise NSYNC's music, I have to admit that the cameo appearance of Joey Fatone as a cheesy Las Vegas singer ala Wayne Newton was hilarious. I don't want to give out too much information about the movie. I loved the intensity of the film, whether it was the raw, if not brutally violent scenes to the passionate love scenes (which were quite racy in the film version I have seen). William H. Macy was truly the highlight of the movie because he made me believe that he was Bernie, the loveable loser. Despite what Natalie tells him towards the end of the film, Bernie still has a big heart and loves her. Before I forget, Ellen Greene (who was in the '80s film adaptation of "Little Shop of Horrors") has a brief cameo has a bartender. Paul Sorvino also makes a brief appearance in the film as drugged out Las Vegas singer. I loved all the twist and turns, and nuances through out the film. Some moments made me laugh, and some made me cringe because of the intensity. "The Cooler" is by far the best film that William H. Macy has starred in. He is truly the best character actor out there in show business today.

Rating:
Summary: "I know what you do. You turn winners into losers"
Review: In THE COOLER Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy), a man with chronic bad luck that quickly spreads to those around him. His ability to pass bad luck to others lands him a job at a casino, where he spoils the winning streaks of gamblers by being a cooler. THE COOLER explores the widening gap between old and new Las Vegas. Macy works in a casino that is based on old Vegas values such as superstitions, violence, old-boy networks, and greed. Shelly (Alec Baldwin), the casino's owner, winces at the new "Disney atmosphere" of the other casinos on the Strip. He is determined to keep his casino true to the old Vegas image in spite of the constant protests of his investors. ... This film is a great character study of a nuanced man who wants to make changes in his life. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Misadvertised / But well done.
Review: Extremely well acted. Expert direction. Smart writing. Misadvertised. This is not the feel good comedy the trailers would lead one to believe. Enter the theater prepared to see hungry, lost characters behave maliciously towards each other. Yes, there's some kindness, a few jackpots, and yes there's even some true--good--love, but there's an awful lot of hurtful stuff going on in between. For all of that, and for the skills of the filmmakers & actors -- count it among our culture's great Las Vegas films.

Rating:
Summary: Low-key drama about a loser who rediscovers hope and joy
Review: Imagine the most defeated, downtrodden, broken individual on the planet. Somebody who life has ridden roughshod over him so many times that the only thing he's living for is an end to his obligations. If you believe that luck can spread around, then a guy like that would have to sap it from everything and everybody he came into contact with, returning it sour and stale. The only way a loser like that could make a real living would be as a cooler in a casino. Folks, meet Bernie Lootz, the best cooler in Las Vegas.

Bernie has a seven year deal with his old-style thug boss Shelley, played by the aptly cast Alec Baldwin. In order to work off a gambling debt caused by his addiction combined with a losing streak, Bernie "cools" the luck of winners at the Shangri-La casino simply by circulating around to wherever there has been too much of a winning streak going on. It works, and he keeps the outdated Shangri La nicely profitable. But now his obligation to Shelley is nearly finished and Bernie wants out of the business. No smart old stickler like Shelley is going to let such a good thing go so easily, however, and he contrives a cruel and clever plan to trap Bernie into extending his contract using the only bait that could tempt a guy with nothing else to lose: a sexy new love interest in the form of cocktail waitress Natalie (Maria Bello).

Once in a while a role comes along for which there is really only one actor that can jump start it to life properly, and without a doubt William H. Macy is that actor for Bernie Lootz. With his kicked-puppy looks and his quietly resigned demeanor, Macy is superb in this movie. In fact, he really made the movie, period. I would recommend The Cooler just for the sake of his performance, although the other leads made great contributions - after all, nobody plays Arrogance like Alec. The satisfaction that you will get out of witnessing the underdog change his luck and rejoin the world of light and hope will be a great bonus.

Great acting, interesting plot, plenty of human drama and just a little brief nudity: there's really nothing missing here. I really can't think of a reason not to award it five stars, so I will. Excellent.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

Rating:
Summary: Steals the Show
Review: The Cooler is a movie similar to "Casino", it shows the gritty side of the business that the public is not aware of. Taking place in old Las Vegas, you'll get to see the professional cheaters that try to steal from the casinos and the mob ties to the business. Shelly (Alec Baldwin) is the manager of the Shangri-La casino, and he opposes the changes being made to the business. He hates the fact that he is being forced to sell out to the new corperate powers and Shelly will do anything to prevent changes from happening. Bernie (William Macy) is a looser, who has the unusual ability to spread bad luck to winning players (cooling the winners), he has a loyalty to Shelly, but changes when he meets and falls in love with a cocktail waitress.
The movie is slow paced but is very well written and keeps you engrossed with their characters. It has excellent camera work, editiing and lighting. The lighting in particular is made in a film noir fashion, adding to the grittyness of the atmosphere. There are some violent scenes in the movie and done realistically. The violence is very sparse yet disturbing. Most of the movie is convulted with hoplessness emphasized by the Bernie character who always looks sad and pathetic, you can almost imagine a dark cloud hanging over his head. His only happiness is the love relationship developing with the waitress. And when he's feeling happy in love, Bernie doesn't do a good job as a cooler. This enrages, Shelly.
Shelly is old fashioned and doesn't like change. He would do anything to keep things the way they are; even if it means hurting those he loves. Alec Baldwin steals the show in this movie! Even though he is a supporting character his presence on screen is creepy and powerful at the same time. His character is so interesting that you'll wish he had more screen time. I just wished that the character, Bernie had more guts. And there are a few situations in the movie subplots which were not handled well. Overall, this is a very good movie, especially if you want to see a modern day film noir.

Rating:
Summary: MUDDLED, BUT WORTHWHILE
Review: The Cooler is a dark tale of luck and free will. It is loaded with brilliant performances. Yet it falls well short of its potential.

The best thing about The Cooler is Maria Bello. She is among a handful of the most beautiful women on the screen these days. As Natalie she exudes an emotional depth and an aching honesty that almost makes this movie something great.

Almost.

Despite similarly wonderful performances from Baldwin and Macy, this dark comedy drowns in its "dark" (dank to be more precise). The Cooler can't figure out if it wants to be a gangster flick, a romantic comedy, a dark comedy, or an elegy for the old ways of Vegas. That the movie almost pulls this off is a credit to the actors involved.

The Cooler misses its mark though. I found it enjoyable, but I have the feeling that most of my friends would either have their patience tested or balk at the heavy violence and sexual content. People watching a slightly more humorous version of Leaving Las Vegas still have to deal with the existential goo of Leaving Las Vegas--no matter the outcome or humor along the way.

That said, if you feel you're up to the challenge, The Cooler, for all its scattershot befuddlement, does sing a strain of the greatest song of all: the song of Love and its power to save and transform--a song well worth listening to--in any form.

"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it."

Rating:
Summary: A New Look At Las Vegas
Review: "The Cooler", starring William H. Macy, Maria Bello, and Alec Baldwin, is a great film that explores more than just Las Vegas. It also desplicts a man who desperately wants to move away from there because of its atmosphere. The interesting plot expresses its deeper creativity by including his string of bad luck and how it spreads. Later, he proves that "lady luck" exists when he falls in love with her, and she expresses her true love for him. This becomes more than just romance; the couple notice a strong life-changing moment. This unique storyline has numerous twists and turns that keep audiences watching every moment closely, especially when secrets are revealed. Meanwhile, the emotional theme presents itself wonderfully through inner peace to inner battles. Such themes create an unforgettable viewing experience. Through every scene, the actors create their own unique presence that adds new statements to this film. Most noted is Alec Baldwin's Oscar-nominated role as selfish, back-stabbing casino owner Shelly. William H. Macy ("Fargo") and Maria Bello (TV's "ER" 1997-1998) also performed beautifully, Bello at her new career best. Such film quality makes "The Cooler" worth watching multiple times. It will continue pleasing audiences for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: You have to play the game to be lucky at love
Review: Bill Macy has made a career out of playing losers and actually wanted to put such roles behind him, but Wayne Kramer and Frank Hannah's script for "The Cooler" made that hard to do. Bernie Lootz is the title character and he is employed by Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin) as a "cooler." Shelly runs the Shangri-La, the last "old school" (read "mob connected") casino in Las Vegas, and a cooler is the guy who brings an end to winning streaks. Bernie does this by just being himself; if he touches the roulette wheel, brushes your shoulder, or sits at your table, your luck turns bad. This particular talent is very useful to Shelly and now Bernie is just days away from paying off his debt to the casino and leaving Las Vegas behind for a place where there are clocks on the way and you can actually tell day from night. Needless to say, Shelly is not thrilled with this idea, and since Bernie's limp is a memento from their "negotiations."

But Bernie has other concerns because he has made a surprising and magical connection with Natalie Belisario (Maria Bello) and actually has something to smile about for the first time in his life. Meanwhile Shelly is distracted because a group of "investors" have brought in Larry Sokolov (Ron Livingston), a hot shot from the Harvard Business School, who represents the new Las Vegas of subliminal persuasion and other modern innovations to persuade customers to lose large amount of money. Shelly hates the new way and insists that the perfection of Shagrai-La should remain untouched. However, he has a new problem, because Natalie is making Bernie happy and suddenly people are winning a lot of money at the casino. This, it does not need to be pointed out, is not good for business and steps must be taken.

What makes "The Cooler" stand out is that both parts of the Bernie and Shelly relationship have stories that can stand on their own. Trying to define their relationship is tricky because it is so multi-faceted that it is hard to get through everything to get to the bottom line. In fact, it is hard for Bernie and Shelly to reach that point themselves, and fate (or Lady Luck) has to help them along. Baldwin was nominated for a Supporting Actor Oscar and Macy's performance is just as good (if Bernie was not clearly a leading role, he could have been nominated in the same category as well). Together they make one of the more interesting odd couples we have seen on the screen in recent years and "The Cooler" is one of the better off beat films of 2003 that will not disappoint Macy's legion of fans.