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	The Cooler
	Wayne Kramer William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Maria Bello, Shawn Hatosy, Ron Livingston, Paul Sorvino, Estella Warren, Arthur J. Nascarella, Joey Fatone, M.C. Gainey, Ellen Greene 2003		Hip, brutal and even a little romantic, "The Cooler" is a fulfilling seriocomic fable for adults, starring the exceptional William H. Macy in a bruised-schnook role that fits him like old scuffed loafers. He's Bernie Lootz, the cooler — a man with such terrible luck that he's hired by a Las Vegas casino to brush up against gamblers on a winning streak to reverse their fortunes. Bernie has always been a loser, so he's shocked and uneasy when a sexy, unpretentious cocktail waitress (Maria Bello) takes an interest in him as he's about to quit his job. It's a dream come true, but if his luck is changing for the better, it may undermine his relationship with shark-like casino boss Shelly Kaplow, played by supremely sinister Alec Baldwin. More than ever, Shelly needs Bernie to stay on and ensure that the house wins. The casino's investors, eager for more profit and a modern, family-friendly operation, have brought in a young consultant (Ron Livingston) to potentially usurp Shelly's power and position. Further complicating Bernie's life, his wayward son (Shawn Hatosy) shows up with a voluptuous girlfriend (Estella Warren) and leans on his long-absent father. Director/co-author Wayne Kramer spins a hell of a yarn, while Macy and Baldwin give the sort of performances that deserve year-end awards.


	Sunday, November 17, 2024





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