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The Cooler, 2003

Starring: William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin

Directed by: Wayne Kramer

Written by: Frank Hannah

Language: English

Country: USA

Runtime: 101 min

MPAA Rating: TV_MA

Rating:7.0

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Profile of The Cooler

The Cooler can be described as bittersweet, gloomy, and sentimental. The plot revolves around gambling, being down on your luck, and a dangerous attraction. The main genres are drama and romance. In approach, The Cooler is serious and realistic. It is set, at least in part, in a casino. It is located in Las Vegas. The Cooler takes place in contemporary times. The movie has received attention for being an award winner and critically acclaimed. Note that it involves nudity, profanity, and violent content.

Summary of The Cooler

William H. Macy adds another quirky, offbeat, and original character to his resume in the form of Bernie Lootz, a sad-sack loser who has the worst luck in town. Unfortunately for him, that town happens to be Las Vegas. He gets hired by his old friend Shelly Kaplowitz (the excellent Alec Baldwin, hitting his stride) to work at the Shangri-La Hotel and Casino, where his bad luck rubs off on the gamblers previously doing well at the tables. But Lootz isn't actually getting paid; he owes money to Shelly, so he is merely working off his debt. Things go haywire when he meets Natalie (Maria Bello) and falls instantly in love--threatening to change his luck. Meanwhile, Shelly is trying to keep the old-school feel of the casino, battling Larry Sokolov (Ron Livingston), who wants to update the place into a glitzy multimedia entertainment center. This struggle of old versus new is also seen in Sokolov's plans to replace aging lounge singer Buddy (Paul Sorvino) with hot newcomer Johnny Capella (Joey Fatone of *NSYNC). THE COOLER, screenwriter Wayne Kramer's directorial debut, is everything an independent film should be: intelligent, entertaining, thought-provoking, and never predictable. The soundtrack includes songs by Fatone, Sorvino, and Diana Krall. Watch out for the subtle references to Frank Capra's LOST HORIZON, which influenced Kramer's depiction of the Shangri-La as an old-time paradise.

Details

Language:	English
Country:	USA
Release date:	17 January 2003
Runtime:	101 min

Cast and Crew See all

William H. Macy

as Bernie Lootz

Alec Baldwin

as Shelly Kaplow

Photos See all

William H. Macy and Alec Baldwin in The Cooler (2003)

Maria Bello and William H. Macy in The Cooler (2003)

Director Wayne Kramer and Alec Baldwin on the set of The Cooler (2003)

Maria Bello, Alec Baldwin and William H. Macy in The Cooler (2003)

Maria Bello in The Cooler (2003)

Alec Baldwin and William H. Macy in The Cooler (2003)

Clips See all

The Cooler: Home Video

The Cooler: Official Trailer

Critics Reviews See all

Variety

Wayne Kramer's sexy and often humorous feature directorial debut surrounds its sweet center with the energy, flash and risk of the gambling capital. Sterling performances by William H. Macy and Maria Bello as the long-shot lovers and Alec Baldwin as... Full Review

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by: Todd McCarthy

Chicago Tribune

The movie boasts one of those rare twist endings that strikes the right emotional chords, and it deserves credit for laying its bets on a sexy, sympathetic Macy. Sometimes long shots pay off. Full Review

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by: Mark Caro

Users Reviews See all

It's good, the is no denying that, but it seems a bit messy

Well having watched this film I really enjoyed it... in parts! I found the pacing of the movie a bit off at time and wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending (I would of been if it had ended only a mere 3minutes or so earlier) I felt it was just... Read and rate it

25.October.2011
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by: Yesiamaduck
Yesiamaduck rated this movie7/10Good

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