Review of The Cooler (2003) by Ned P — 30 Aug 2008
Practically ignored on release, Wayne Kramer's thriller/drama deals with themes of luck and destiny in the gaudy setting of Las Vegas. William H. Macy plays a down-on-his luck sap employed by casino owner Alec Baldwin to halt punters' winning streaks, but when he meets cocktail waitress Maria Bello, his miraculous ability disappears.
The plot is by turns exciting, funny, shocking and insightful, but above all extremely engaging. Kramer shows the seductive surface of Vegas and its ruthless underbelly, incorporating skilled cinematography and a superb soundtrack on the way.
Macy's role is familiar territory (he played similar characters in Magnolia and Fargo) but he does enough to make it distinctive, while Alec Baldwin is excellent as the heartless casino owner. Maria Bello too does a terrific job as Macy's love interest, helped by some sound characterisation on the part of writers Kramer and Frank Hannah.
The only major weakness is the fragility of the idea that Macy is just an unlucky man, but the film is generally so enjoyable that it seems not to matter.
This review of The Cooler (2003) was written by Ned P on 30 Aug 2008.
The Cooler has generally received positive reviews.
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