The Cooler movie review

aelst's review

I've seen so many casino movies lately, but this one doesn't focus on the glamour, which is such a refreshing change. Instead there's focus on 3 main characters. The cooler, who is repaying a debt to the casino owner, who by his mere presence brings bad luck to the tables so the house will win. There's the casino owner, who's living in the past and tries to resist change to his casino. He uses old fashioned decor and entertainment in his casino. And there's girl, who begins a relationship with the cooler.

There is a very violent kick, that was surprising and made me cringe.

I really enjoyed this movie, the well acted characters are simple and contrasted throughout the movie, and even though it's depressing, it has a good ending.

4 out of 5 stars.

ratbag's review

William H. Macy again plays a pitiable character -- this time, his luck is so bad that it even affects anyone he goes near! A guy such as him has his uses, as casino owner Shelly Kaploy (slimily played by Alec Baldwin) has discovered, and he sends Bernie Lootz (Macy) over to the winning gambler's table to ensure that no one leaves the casino with their winnings (if that fails, he sends his goons after them instead).

Despite that the idea that someone could have such terrible luck might seem preposterous, we are easily absorbed into believing it as all the characters portrayed the movie felt so real and three-dimensional -- they are not simply there to further the plot, but play important and convincing parts (even the goons have some moral backbone!).

Although depressing at times (with a couple of questionable scenes), "The Cooler" is an enjoyable movie, with a difference.