Alec Baldwin, Arthur J. Nascarella, Don Scribner

The Cooler is Bernie Lootz, a loser who has made his career out of his contagious bad luck. The Cooler plies his trade, working on the floor of Las Vegas' aging Shangri-La casino, an old-school "gambl...( read more  read more... )er's casino," a dinosaur in the shadow of the new Strip and its theme-park attractions. In this purgatory of bright lights and chirping slots, Bernie drifts from table to table, his bad karma cooling one gambler's lucky streak after another. Like an inmate serving time, Bernie has been here for years, paying off a nasty gambling debt he owes to the Shangri-La's slippery Director of Operations, Shelly Kaplow. Bernie is just days away from fulfilling his debt when he meets Natalie, a new cocktail waitress at the Shangri-La. Natalie sweeps Bernie off his feet, and after a night of much-needed raucous sex, Bernie is in love. When Natalie starts to love him back, Bernie's luck starts to change. Feeling good for the first time in years, Bernie can't wait to leave Las Vegas and move on with his life with the woman of his dreams. But will Shelly let his most valued asset leave so easily?

Flixster Users

69% liked it

4,763 ratings

Critics

77% liked it

164 critics

R, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Wayne Kramer

Release Date: November 26, 2003

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DVD Release Date: April 27, 2004

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Stats: 721 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (721)


  • September 29, 2009
    A very stylish, intelligent and cool film. I found the beginning sequence of the demolition of classic casinos extremely moving and I?ve never even been to Vagas! Recommended!
  • April 18, 2009
    I can't help but say the name of this film like the German's in the great escape.
  • April 16, 2009
    A "cooler" is a guy who stands next to you in a casino when you are having a winning streak that is suddenly interrupted. It is someone who has such a bad luck that people around him are influenced; he could be pretty important for casino bosses. The cooler here is Bernie and the...( read more) face of William H. Macy is perfect for him. The casino boss is Shelly in a wonderful performance from Alec Baldwin. Soon Bernie will leave, but not before he has met and fallen in love with Natalie, played by Maria Bello (for me only known from 'Payback', 'Coyote Ugly' and "A history of violence"), a third terrific performance. She seems to like him also and suddenly that means Bernie is lucky. This will give, unfortunately for Shelly and therefore himself as well, results on the casino floor. Things are getting complicated.

    The story is pretty original and entertaining on itself. A sub-plot that deals with the idea of remodeling the casino into a more modern one, not if it is up to Shelly, gives him a reason to be annoyed and show his more cruel side. Baldwin is at best in these scenes. The performances take the film to the next level. Baldwin won an Oscar nomination and it is pretty clear why. You believe him the entire time, no matter what he does. From Macy we expect a good performance, he is one of the best character-actors out there. I was also pleasantly surprised with Bello, an Oscar nomination would not have been strange here; she is very good, even great in the scenes with Macy. In the end 'The Cooler' is a good film, becoming better through performances, amusing all the way through.
  • December 1, 2008
    Confusing and just not my cup of tea.
  • November 13, 2008
    "When your life depends on losing... the last thing you need is lady luck."

    Writer/director Wayne Kramer offers a glimpse into the aging Las Vegas casino world with the romantic drama The Cooler. Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) is extremely unlucky at gambling, and he owes...( read more) the Shangri-La casino over 100,000 dollars. He is so unlucky that he is hired as a "cooler," someone to gamble next to high rollers and give them some of his bad luck to stop them from winning. This arrangement works out for awhile, until Bernie has almost paid off his debt and meets cocktail waitress Natalie Belisario (Maria Bello). The two start to fall in love and Bernie's luck begins to change. However, the old-fashioned mob boss Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin) isn't going to let Bernie go so easily. Meanwhile, Larry Sokolov (Ron Livingston) arrives on the scene to help update the business management of the old mobster-run casino. Also starring Joey Fatone and Paul Sorvino as lounge singers. The Cooler was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the dramatic competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival.

    Review
    This movie is definitely worth seeing. Thinking back, all the buzz around Baldwin's performance is worthy. I thought Bello was good, just not so good as to garner all the praise for the role. Of course Macy is always great, and this seems like a role written just for him. It's great to see him in a lead role. Without giving away anything, the story got some interesting turns, but I kind of expected the ending from the flow of the movie. Maybe not precisely, but the gist of it...there was one loose end I would've liked tied up. With the time spent on the specific sub-plot, you'll probably also wonder.

    Great old school Vegas casino. It adds a fun background, especially if you like playing the odds.
  • October 27, 2009
    Original movie. Great acting by Macy, Baldwin and Bello especially. The kind of stuff I like, because its different and entertaining.
  • July 17, 2009
    Fantastic film, a great look at at the loneliness of the casino life.
  • June 18, 2009
    Exceptional drama/comedy with fine performances from Baldwin, Macy and Bello. Recommended.
  • June 15, 2009
    One of my all-time favourite films, I went back and rewatched this one again recently. I tend to have a soft spot for the characters played by William H. Macy. This movie was certainly no exception. During many scenes, I just wanted to reach through the screen and hug the poor gu...( read more)y! Excellent casting coupled with solid acting made this film feel extremely genuine to me. I value the element of realism considerably as it tends to draw me deeply into the story. I also loved, loved, loved the sense of nostalgia that blankets the entire plot. And, to be sure, I enjoyed the non-traditional, fucked-up love story. That's life! Not these nonsensical happily-ever-afters that Hollywood likes to cram down our throats. Bleh. This one starts out a little slow; but, believe me - it ends with a bang! Highly recommended!
  • June 13, 2009
    Baldwin was seriously demented in this one...

Critic Reviews


May 3, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

A pointless, money-depleting waste of time to be avoided at all costs. full review

December 19, 2003
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

While it does occasionally shortchange its characters, it provides plenty of moments for the actors to shine. full review

December 19, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Cooler is old-fashioned in the way the Shangri-La is old-fashioned, and I mean that as a compliment. This is a movie without gimmicks, hooks or flashy slickness. full review

December 19, 2003
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

The Cooler is as much of a con as Vegas itself; that's the source of its charm. full review

December 18, 2003
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Small-scale moviemaking about small-scale lives. But it's big in all the right ways. full review

November 29, 2003
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

William H. Macy and Maria Bello shine in a terrific -- and surprisingly sexy -- tale of a Vegas loser whose luck begins to turn. full review

November 25, 2003
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

This picture is rescued from cliche by the quality of the acting, and Mr. Kramer wisely gives the actors room to work. full review

November 25, 2003
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

'Ocean's Eleven' this is not. full review

November 20, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

From James Whitaker's seductive camerawork to Mark Isham's lush score, The Cooler places all the smart bets and hits the jackpot. full review

View more The Cooler reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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The Cooler Trivia


  • Tagline: When your life depends on losing... the last thing you need is lady luck.  Answer »
  • What Was Steve Mcqueen's Nickname in "The Great Escape."?  Answer »
  • Which movie has the following tagline... "When your life depends on losing... the last thing you need is lady luck."  Answer »
  • What 2003 film is this the plot of? In an old school Las Vegas casino, its top gambling jinx breaks his curse when he falls in love, much to his boss' consternation. (one cast member was a nominee for best supporting actor)  Answer »

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