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Movie Review
The Cooler
By Lee Tistaert Published January 26, 2004
US Release: November 26, 2003
Directed by: Wayne Kramer
Starring: William H. Macy , Maria Bello , Alec Baldwin , Shawn Hatosy
R
Running Time: 103 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $8,244,000
Directed by: Wayne Kramer
Starring: William H. Macy , Maria Bello , Alec Baldwin , Shawn Hatosy
R
Running Time: 103 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $8,244,000
B
12 of 132
The film is actually very well acted, has a relatively deep story (which you wouldn?t expect from the preview), and is a bit dark in nature.
The Cooler is not the chick-flick that its trailer suggests. Though it has elements of one, the film is actually very well acted, has a relatively deep story (which you wouldn?t expect from the preview), and is a bit dark in nature. This is a small film that has been slowly catching on with the art crowds, and it is fairly old-fashioned for today?s standards. The movie has more of a story and fewer fancy gimmicks than most films, as it is a bit toned down, but that is part of its beauty.
William H. Macy stars as Bernie, a loser in Las Vegas who has a knack for ruining gamblers? luck by simply being at a table; his boss, Shelly (Alec Baldwin), loves Bernie?s gift, as it helps the casino?s profits. When a waitress named Natalie (Maria Bello) is assigned to wait on Bernie on his shift, the two establish an odd connection through his awkward presence, as he has a very quiet way about himself but seems to have something hidden inside that Natalie is attracted to. After the two develop a relationship (with Natalie trying to unleash his hidden hip and energetic altar ego), his contagious gift at the casino reverses, leaving Shelly clueless and outraged.
For those who have seen the trailer, the marketing reps make The Cooler out to be a rather light but entertaining film about lady luck and the sunshine that a woman supplies in a man?s life. As much as that factor does play a part in the story, The Cooler surprisingly has substance beneath the surface, and its material is not always friendly. The film does have an occasional sense of humor that is funny, but it is mostly serious, with the loose chick-flick element kept to a minimum.
Alec Baldwin gives Shelly a very believable, menacing touch, and though the actor is more or less replaying his role from Glengarry GlennRoss, Baldwin manages to deliver his own unique and different character out of rather clich? material. The performance could have easily just been straight out of every other genre film with this type of generic antagonist role, but Baldwin gives the character life and executes a memorable performance, which is quite commendable.
Maria Bello also shines in her role, showing an impressive range in her acting that mixes very well with Macy?s dead-on depiction of his boring persona. Macy, whose role is not his first loser-like character, is very much like Baldwin in this scenario, delivering a very convincing part that even steps aside from his relevant roles in Fargo and Magnolia, creating a new and believable person beneath recognizable material.
The Cooler plays like a genuine art film, telling a story while the audience is not aware of everything at face value. There are a few effective twists along the way, as well as subplots that are handled very well, supplying much needed layers to the film?s at-first light tone. Though the movie doesn?t achieve anything spectacular, it tells a story that is deeper than one might anticipate, and is directed with a sensibility of the genre, delivering performances across the board that work, with a tone and style that is quite effective.
The film doesn?t have the impact that Paul Thomas Anderson?s-related flick, Hard Eight, creates in that story?s twisty, anonymous route, but is nevertheless noteworthy in its intentions. The Cooler could have essentially just been what the preview suggested, revealing much of its material in the ad but promising a cute, enjoyable film mostly geared toward women. American Splendor had a relevant ad-campaign minus the cute factor, with the exception being that that movie didn?t have a great deal of substance beneath itself (and which revealed a lot in the trailer).
The Cooler is a better and more meaningful film, and the story unfolds in a manner that few films today are told. It is more intelligent than it looks and proves that not every marketing group gives in to the spoiling nature that many studios attach to their ad-campaigns. Had the ads portrayed the film?s tone in actuality, I?m not sure how attractive The Cooler would?ve been to female demographics. However, art crowds of both genders should still be grateful for what the film has in store and for the route it doesn?t take, as it is a delightful surprise.
William H. Macy stars as Bernie, a loser in Las Vegas who has a knack for ruining gamblers? luck by simply being at a table; his boss, Shelly (Alec Baldwin), loves Bernie?s gift, as it helps the casino?s profits. When a waitress named Natalie (Maria Bello) is assigned to wait on Bernie on his shift, the two establish an odd connection through his awkward presence, as he has a very quiet way about himself but seems to have something hidden inside that Natalie is attracted to. After the two develop a relationship (with Natalie trying to unleash his hidden hip and energetic altar ego), his contagious gift at the casino reverses, leaving Shelly clueless and outraged.
For those who have seen the trailer, the marketing reps make The Cooler out to be a rather light but entertaining film about lady luck and the sunshine that a woman supplies in a man?s life. As much as that factor does play a part in the story, The Cooler surprisingly has substance beneath the surface, and its material is not always friendly. The film does have an occasional sense of humor that is funny, but it is mostly serious, with the loose chick-flick element kept to a minimum.
Alec Baldwin gives Shelly a very believable, menacing touch, and though the actor is more or less replaying his role from Glengarry GlennRoss, Baldwin manages to deliver his own unique and different character out of rather clich? material. The performance could have easily just been straight out of every other genre film with this type of generic antagonist role, but Baldwin gives the character life and executes a memorable performance, which is quite commendable.
Maria Bello also shines in her role, showing an impressive range in her acting that mixes very well with Macy?s dead-on depiction of his boring persona. Macy, whose role is not his first loser-like character, is very much like Baldwin in this scenario, delivering a very convincing part that even steps aside from his relevant roles in Fargo and Magnolia, creating a new and believable person beneath recognizable material.
The Cooler plays like a genuine art film, telling a story while the audience is not aware of everything at face value. There are a few effective twists along the way, as well as subplots that are handled very well, supplying much needed layers to the film?s at-first light tone. Though the movie doesn?t achieve anything spectacular, it tells a story that is deeper than one might anticipate, and is directed with a sensibility of the genre, delivering performances across the board that work, with a tone and style that is quite effective.
The film doesn?t have the impact that Paul Thomas Anderson?s-related flick, Hard Eight, creates in that story?s twisty, anonymous route, but is nevertheless noteworthy in its intentions. The Cooler could have essentially just been what the preview suggested, revealing much of its material in the ad but promising a cute, enjoyable film mostly geared toward women. American Splendor had a relevant ad-campaign minus the cute factor, with the exception being that that movie didn?t have a great deal of substance beneath itself (and which revealed a lot in the trailer).
The Cooler is a better and more meaningful film, and the story unfolds in a manner that few films today are told. It is more intelligent than it looks and proves that not every marketing group gives in to the spoiling nature that many studios attach to their ad-campaigns. Had the ads portrayed the film?s tone in actuality, I?m not sure how attractive The Cooler would?ve been to female demographics. However, art crowds of both genders should still be grateful for what the film has in store and for the route it doesn?t take, as it is a delightful surprise.
Lee's Grade: B
Ranked #12 of 132 between Matchstick Men (#11) and Stuck On You (#13) for 2003 movies.
Ranked #12 of 132 between Matchstick Men (#11) and Stuck On You (#13) for 2003 movies.
Lee's Overall Grading: 3025 graded movies
| A | 0.4% | |
| B | 30.0% | |
| C | 61.7% | |
| D | 8.0% | |
| F | 0.0% |
