Review of The Cooler (2003) by Séan Y — 01 May 2008

It would suck to be a cooler, simply because you exist to bring people bad luck. In a more complex sense, and in reference to this movie, it's possible that it could suck more if you became a functioning human being with emotions, logic, and...love.

William H. Macy has played a string of characters that are classified easily, yet unfairly, as "average losers". So, while they are much richer performances than this, they just seem to be variations channeling each other. Consider his role in "Boogie Nights", where his character had no hope of being respected, and in "Magnolia", where he simply needed to be respected but needed (Biblical) intervention more.

His character, here, (Bernie) just functions as a machine to make sure the casino he works at doesn't lose too much money. This is where Maria Bello's Natalie comes in; she is a cocktail waitress at the same casino. Both of them are equally ready for a change, ANY change, but they did not, however, intend to fall in love. Mind you, I do not believe anyone on this earth "sets out" to find love (and is successful)... love finds us. The scenes of their love making are very well done and complete credit is given to the actors for creating characters we can believe, not just see. And, in reference to the "graphic nature" of their romps the MPAA was offended about, grow up losers! Their sex was not that of smokey screens and candles, but of sweat and trust.

Well, Bernie's not going to be very effective at his job if he's all smiles and daydreams, right? This doesn't sit well with casino owner (Alec Baldwin). Now, I do not like any of the Baldwin brothers... I just don't. However, in both "The Cooler" and "Mini's First Time", Alec has shown himself to have a somewhat-effective screen presence, while never losing the one-dimensional nature he'll always have. So, yes, if the question arose, I would say he did a very fine job playing his character, which is both a compliment and a reservation.

The film comes down to choices, and not only making prudent ones, but making them solely for you and no one else. While the movie is not perfect (I found the violence to be a smidgen graphic for its functions in the plot), it contains performances, from the entire cast, that are well considered and equally executed.

Here, Sin City is simply 'Paradise Lost' waiting to be found.