Release Date: 4/27/2004 Original Release: 2003 Format: DVD Length: 101 minutes Rating:R (MPAA) Rating Reason: strong sexuality, language, and some drug use UPC: 031398118244 Studio: Lion's Gate Films
Dramas, Live-Action, Romance, Recommended, Divorce, Theatrical Release, Crime, Love Affairs, Gambling, Violence, Las Vegas, Nevada, Sex, Love
Description
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.
DVD Features
Region 1 Keep Case Widescreen - 1.85 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Additional Release Material: Deleted Scenes Audio Commentary Alternate Ending By Script Featurette: 1. ANATOMY OF A SCENE 2. Short Film Text/Photo Galleries: Storyboards
The Cooler (2003) Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) is the unluckiest guy in the world. He's so unlucky that he's made being unlucky his job. He works as a cooler for the Golden Shangri-La casino, owned... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on July 29, 2007
Reviewed by: Daniel
THE COOLER (2003) Dir. Wayne Kramer. William H. Macy puts in another sturdy performance as Bernie Lootz - the unluckiest man in Las Vegas whose actually made a career out of his losing streak. You... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on February 26, 2007
Reviewed by: Zara
For those of you who might have forgotten, Alec Baldwin was nominated for a Best Supporting Oscar for his roll as the old school gangster casino boss in this movie. He's mean, he's snarly and he's... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on October 2, 2007
