Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

But maybe this disappointment has to do with expectations. For example, I though this movie would provide greater insight into the mind of a gambler and the way a casino operates, but it doesn't; on the contrary, it seems to be propelled by the outdated notion that all casino bosses are gangsters and killers. The trailer also makes it look relatively lighthearted, but it has some bursts of violence that are both disturbing and unnecessary. Stylistically, with one exception (the scene where Baldwin "x-rays" the hand of an unusually lucky guy), "The Cooler' plays like an R-rated TV movie. The basic idea is clever, but the plot doesn't do much with it: first Macy is unlucky, then he gets lucky, then unlucky again, then lucky, and so forth. Although Macy and Bello must be one of the most unlikely erotic pairings in recent memory, they are otherwise well-cast in their roles; Baldwin gives the film edge, and deserved his Oscar nomination and other awards for this role. ** out of 4.

Alec Baldwin and Maria Bello were RIGHTFULLY nominated for several awards, but unfortunately did not win many..What surprised me most was that William H.Macy was not even nominated for a single award, although I feel he has given an excellent performance in the tile role of "The Cooler"The movie has a good pace and is not dull for a minute.Excitement and anticipation are combined in the right proportion..The direction is smooth.. The movie should have done better at the box-office..Performances are truly worth watching.

Not since Martin Scorsese's Casino has a gambling film occupied so much emotion and poignancy. Wayne Kramer's The Cooler is a brilliant piece of film, accomplishing a great deal with its ensemble cast, effective characters, a screenplay that is blunt and firm throughout, among other things. This is what you call an unsung miracle.The story revolves around Bernie Lootz, played by William H. Macy. He is unlucky, to say the least, depressed, and well into a midlife crisis. His unluckiness has provided him with good opportunities with Shelly (Baldwin), who runs the Shangri-La casino in Las Vegas. Bernie is a cooler, whose job is to head over to a table or a machine when a person is winning big and, since he is so shamelessly unlucky, hopefully break their streak. He is miserable and unsatisfied, until he meets a beautiful waitress named Natalie (Bello). Natalie and him have a connection, where they both understand each other since they are in the position of an outcast.Shelly is aggravated because he notices a change in Bernie's appearance and lifestyle. He is old-fashioned and so used to playing things by the book. That explains the cut-throat tactics he resorts to when players come in and try to cheat the system. He is a brutal man with a granular outlook. He is constantly resisting change, especially when he is at a meeting and shown a model of what should be the next breakthrough in casino history. It isn't just a casino, but an IMAX theater, an entertainment system, and equipped with a roller-coaster. He is informed that the establishment will make its earnings back in a few years, but Shelly is displeased and frustrated. He doesn't believe in civil disobedience or the handling of things "the right way." He believes in the unwritten book of the world.In a way, this story parallels the one told in the Nicolas Cage drama Leaving Las Vegas. Both stories are about depressed and lonely men, one on a never-ending alcohol binge, the other an unlucky soul, who both find solace in women of equally depressing lifestyles, and always feel bribed of true happiness. Even Maria Bello sort of looks like Elizabeth Shue from the film. Not to mention, both stories are told with fierce writing, with direction of equally impressive status.The direction in the film could be consider film noir, in the way it puts tracking shots, atmosphere, and grain in the picture. Everything about the film is slick and blooming with incorruptible adrenaline and fire. Be sure to pay attention to serene and subtle instances that could easily go unnoticed. There is a magnificent scene in the middle of the picture, where Shelly confronts Natalie in Bernie's apartment, armed with two goons. Shelly does the unthinkable, and afterwards, him and the two goons look on with a feeling of dread and sorrow for their actions. Shelly is the last one on the planet to admit regret in a decision or an action, but when the camera cleverly focuses on his face you can smell it on him. The goons, who I believe don't say a word in the picture, are in disbelief. They knew Shelly was mean, but they never knew he was immorally low.Macy gives an astonishing performance, and assists in making The Cooler an involving and poignant character study, rather than a basic, one-dimensional "woe is me" type ballad. Baldwin gives a career-worthy performance, his character ranging from competent and justifiable, to morally and devilishly lacking. Bello's work as Natalie is equally commendable, and her character provides a dark, blink and you miss it sort of backstory that is equal parts saddening and enlightening.The Cooler is a real beauty in film, and an overlooked gem, like many of the same breed. Aside from the gritty writing, the undeniably exceptional performances, and the attractive and rich direction, what makes this film even more commendable is its protagonist. We inherently feel sorry for the man, as we imagine how depressing, soul-crushing, and utterly dehumanizing it is to be devalued to the point where your job is to make others miserable. It is not his fault. If he was taken with even an ounce of humanity and care, he would be in a grand position.Starring: William H. Macy, Maria Bello, and Alec Baldwin. Directed by: Wayne Kramer.

The title suggested something to do with prison or something to me, but I definitely knew who the leading star of the film was, and that was good enough for me to decide to watch it. Basically Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) is the unluckiest schmuck in Las Vegas, his bad luck is contagious and spreads to anyone he around playing in casinos. Ruthless casino manager Shelly Kaplow (Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Alec Baldwin) uses to this to his advantage by hiring Bernie as "the cooler", to hang around high rollers and make sure they lose to make a good profit. This run of bad luck spreading to others is due to change though when Bernie meets cocktail waitress Natalie Belisario (A History of Violence's Golden Globe nominated Maria Bello), and the two of them get very close. As their love becomes stronger, suddenly Bernie's luck has turned, and instead of his contagious bad luck being spread, more people are becoming winners in the casino, Natalie is obviously "lady luck". Shelley of course isn't happy with this, and he takes drastic action to try and keep the two apart so the good luck doesn't continue in his establishment, but Bernie isn't going to let go the one thing he truly loves. So after quitting as "the cooler", Bernie decides after seeing Natalie's injured face and finding out some truths, to take advantage of his newfound good luck in Shelley's casino. At first Shelley becomes the new "cooler" making Bernie lose some big bucks, but then he takes the big gamble that could ultimately bring down Shelley and his business, and he is successful. Bernie and Natalie drive off with a big fortune to take them all the way, and after a quick run of bad luck involving a gun threatening Highway Officer (Lost's M.C. Gainey), they drive away happily ever after. Also starring Shawn Hatosy as Mikey, Band of Brothers' Ron Livingston as Larry Sokolov, Dick Tracy's Paul Sorvino as Buddy Stafford, Kangaroo Jack's Estella Warren as Charlene, Arthur J. Nascarella as Nicky 'Fingers' Bonnatto and Ellen Greene as Doris. Macy is fantastic as the loser finding true love and his luck change for the greater good, Bello is really good as his luck bringing love interest, and Baldwin is great as the greedy and easily angered boss. This film obviously isn't a film made for a lot of money, and it has a simple story, but that is what makes it a believable and splendid romantic drama. Very good!