Rotten
In reconstructing Macy's equal-opportunity loser persona as a romantic winner, The Cooler forgets what made its star so winning in the first place.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
The Cooler
When your life depends on losing... the last thing you need is lady luck.
2003 · 1h 41m · R
Drama, Romance
Directed by
Wayne Kramer
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The Cooler
Overview
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.
Director and cast
- Wayne Kramer Director
- William H. Macy as Bernie Lootz
- Alec Baldwin as Shelly Kaplow
- Maria Bello as Natalie Belisario
- Shawn Hatosy as Mikey
- Ron Livingston as Larry Sokolov
- Paul Sorvino as Buddy Stafford
- Estella Warren as Charlene
- Arthur J. Nascarella as Nicky Fingers Bonnatto
- Joey Fatone as Johnny Cappella
- M.C. Gainey as Highway Officer
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
78%
Tomatometer
Fresh
A B-movie in the best sense: Unpretentious. Raffish. Just trashy enough to be six kinds of fun without making you hate yourself in the morning.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Fresh
Kramer has gotten strong performances from his cast (Baldwin is particularly good as the strangely likable, but still horrible, casino owner).
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
Rotten
A movie without a compass, switching pace and direction as haphazardly as a caffeinated SUV driver on a cellphone.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Fresh
It's pretty winning for a long way, reminding us that everything in life is a kind of gamble, and if you don't play, you'll never win.
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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