Watch The Cooler

The Cooler is a 2003 romantic drama film directed by Wayne Kramer and starring William H. Macy, Maria Bello, and Alec Baldwin. The film is set in Las Vegas and revolves around the life of Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy), a professional "cooler" who is employed by a casino to spread bad luck to any gambler who is on a hot streak. Bernie is a man who has been down on his luck for most of his life and has developed the uncanny ability to bring bad luck to those around him. He is a man haunted by a dark past that he cannot escape, and he has become disillusioned with life. He sees himself as a lonely and pathetic individual, doomed to a life of misery and failure.

The film opens with Bernie working for the Shangri-La Casino in Las Vegas. His job is to monitor the tables and identify lucky gamblers. Once he has located a lucky gambler, he will be sent over to their table to strike up a conversation with them. Bernie is a soft-spoken man with a kind heart, and he genuinely cares about the people he is sent to cool down. He sees himself as a savior of sorts, helping these people by bringing an end to their luck before it destroys them.

Bernie's life takes a turn for the better when he meets Natalie (Maria Bello), a waitress who works at the casino. Natalie is a woman who has a heart of gold, and she sees in Bernie an opportunity to help him break free from the chains of bad luck that have held him captive for so long. The chemistry between them is palpable, and they quickly become close.

Meanwhile, the Shangri-La Casino is facing a challenge from its rival casino, the Golden Shangri-La. The owner of the Golden Shangri-La, Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin), is a ruthless businessman who is determined to put the Shangri-La out of business. The two casinos are in direct competition, and each is struggling to hold onto their share of the market.

As the story unfolds, Bernie finds himself in the middle of a fierce battle between the two casinos. Shelly wants to use Bernie's talents to bring down the Shangri-La, and he offers him an irresistible deal. Bernie is torn between his loyalty to the Shangri-La and his desire to break free from his own bad luck. He must make a decision that will change his life forever.

The Cooler is a well-crafted film that tells a captivating story about the power of luck and the human spirit. The performances are outstanding, with William H. Macy delivering a powerful performance as Bernie. Maria Bello is also excellent as Natalie, and the chemistry between her and Macy is palpable. Alec Baldwin steals the show as the ruthless Shelly Kaplow, a character that is both menacing and sympathetic.

The film is shot in a dark and moody style that perfectly captures the world of Las Vegas. The casino scenes are particularly well shot, with the flashing lights and spinning roulette wheels creating an atmosphere of danger and excitement.

The Cooler is a film that has a lot of heart. It explores complex themes such as the nature of luck and the impact it can have on people's lives. It is a film that will keep you hooked from start to finish, and will leave you thinking about it long after it's over. If you're a fan of romantic dramas or films set in Las Vegas, then The Cooler is a must-see.

The Cooler is a 2003 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 69.