Movie spotlight
Bernie 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, is happy with the arrangement. But Bernie finds unexpected happiness when he begins dating attractive waitress Natalie Belisario.
Bernie Lootz, a man whose bad luck brings ruin to anyone he's near, works as a "cooler" at a Las Vegas casino, tasked with killing the positive energy of gamblers and ensuring the house wins. When he falls for a cocktail waitress named Shelley, his luck begins to change, much to the dismay of his boss, who fears Bernie's "un-cooling" will cost the casino dearly. Bernie must find a way to break free from his curse and protect Shelley before the mob boss has him eliminated.
The Cooler received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for its unique premise, sharp dialogue, and standout performances, especially from William H. Macy and Alec Baldwin. Critics lauded its gritty portrayal of the underbelly of Las Vegas and its blend of dark humor and genuine emotional depth, making it a cult favorite.
Praised for its stylish and gritty depiction of Las Vegas's seedy side.
William H. Macy delivers a compelling performance as a man cursed by his own bad luck.
Alec Baldwin received significant acclaim for his supporting role, earning an Oscar nomination.
Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's dark and unconventional story, finding it to be a well-acted and engaging crime drama. Many enjoyed the unique concept and the performances of the lead actors, though some found the tone to be overly bleak.
Alec Baldwin was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Shelly.
Director Wayne Kramer initially envisioned 'The Cooler' as a much smaller, independent film but expanded it when he secured the funding and talent.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
“Bernie” (William H. Macy) is the casino equivalent of “Eeyore”. He sits beside the gamblers and makes sure that his doom and gloom philosophy wears off on them and they lose cash. No, it doesn’t sound very scientific but his boss “Shelley”...