The Cooler

R

Released Dec 19, 2003

1 hr. 41 min.

Drama

Romance

List

77%

173 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Truly down on his luck, lonely single guy Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) works at a Las Vegas casino, where he uses his innate ability to bring about misfortune in those around him to jinx gamblers into losing. His imposing boss, Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin), is happy with the arrangement. But Bernie finds unexpected happiness when he begins dating attractive waitress Natalie Belisario (Maria Bello) -- and when his contentment starts to affect his job, Shelly seeks to end the relationship.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered May 07

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent The Cooler on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

A small movie elevated by superb performances.

Read Critics Reviews

James N

One of my all-time favorite movies. Unique and original. Old school story telling you rarely see these days.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/24

Full Review

Todd C

Maybe my favorite role that I have seen Alec Baldwin in. I also thought it was sell acted by Bello and Macy. The story was interesting. There were some that complained about the realness of the plot. Doesn't bother me...it is a movie. I will say that Macy seems to always play the same guy with the same expressions. Not my favorite actor for sure, but was ok in this one. It seemed beautifully made to me.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/13/23

Full Review

Tim H

I hope there's a director's cut of this film floating around because it has (SPOILER): The worst and I mean the absolute worst ending to a film I've ever seen. They get to die together that's the true ending not a drunk driver! I mean I know about America and happy endings and all but come on!

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great movie with some twists and turns along the way. Ending hits home…

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/05/22

Full Review

Jrn H

A very good feature film

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/01/22

Full Review

Audience Member

This is where you'll find William H. Macy at his true gravitas, expressing his non-comedic, non-relatively parental peak, as he alongside his convincingly gripped chemistry with Maria Bello's equal power and Alec Baldwin's terrifically layered performance genuinely elevates a simplistic, superstitious film bridging stylistic class amid modernization with questionable tactics. (B)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Wayne Kramer

Director

William H. Macy

Bernie Lootz

Alec Baldwin

Shelly Kaplow

Maria Bello

Natalie Belisario

Shawn Hatosy

Mikey

Ron Livingston

Larry Sokolov

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

71%

78%

All the Real Girls

90%

90%

Last Life in the Universe

65%

54%

We Don't Live Here Anymore

28%

60%

G

68%

70%

Japanese Story

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Sausage Party, Milk, and More on Netflix and Amazon Prime This Week

Top Ten Vegas Films

Comic-Con 2006 Wrap-Up: "Spider-Man 3," "300," and "Grind House" Led The Pack

View more photos

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

A pointless, money-depleting waste of time to be avoided at all costs.

Rated: D

May 3, 2005

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 4/5

Jun 18, 2004

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

A romantic heart beats under the cynical shell of... Wayne Kramer’s tale of losers, gamblers, gangsters, and the unluckiest man in the world.

Apr 8, 2023

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

No tricks up the sleeve of director Kramer. Just good old-fashioned filmmaking. No "cooler" brushed up against The Cooler. A winning hand all around. Deal me in.

Nov 7, 2019

Full Review

Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

It's a beautifully made film resplendent with powerful performances and elegantly cinematography.

Dec 20, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Truly down on his luck, lonely single guy Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) works at a Las Vegas casino, where he uses his innate ability to bring about misfortune in those around him to jinx gamblers into losing. His imposing boss, Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin), is happy with the arrangement. But Bernie finds unexpected happiness when he begins dating attractive waitress Natalie Belisario (Maria Bello) -- and when his contentment starts to affect his job, Shelly seeks to end the relationship.

Director: Wayne Kramer
Executive Producer: Edward R. Pressman, John Schmidt, Alessandro Camon, Brett Morrison, Robert Gryphon
Screenwriter: Frank Hannah, Wayne Kramer
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Pierce-Williams, ContentFilm, Gryphon Films, Furst Films, Visionbox Pictures, Dog Pond Films
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 3, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.2M

Most Popular at Home Now