The title suggested something to do with prison or something to me, but I definitely knew who the leading star of the film was, and that was good enough for me to decide to watch it. Basically Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy) is the unluckiest schmuck in Las Vegas, his bad luck is contagious and spreads to anyone he around playing in casinos. Ruthless casino manager Shelly Kaplow (Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Alec Baldwin) uses to this to his advantage by hiring Bernie as "the cooler", to hang around high rollers and make sure they lose to make a good profit. This run of bad luck spreading to others is due to change though when Bernie meets cocktail waitress Natalie Belisario (A History of Violence's Golden Globe nominated Maria Bello), and the two of them get very close. As their love becomes stronger, suddenly Bernie's luck has turned, and instead of his contagious bad luck being spread, more people are becoming winners in the casino, Natalie is obviously "lady luck". Shelley of course isn't happy with this, and he takes drastic action to try and keep the two apart so the good luck doesn't continue in his establishment, but Bernie isn't going to let go the one thing he truly loves. So after quitting as "the cooler", Bernie decides after seeing Natalie's injured face and finding out some truths, to take advantage of his newfound good luck in Shelley's casino. At first Shelley becomes the new "cooler" making Bernie lose some big bucks, but then he takes the big gamble that could ultimately bring down Shelley and his business, and he is successful. Bernie and Natalie drive off with a big fortune to take them all the way, and after a quick run of bad luck involving a gun threatening Highway Officer (Lost's M.C. Gainey), they drive away happily ever after. Also starring Shawn Hatosy as Mikey, Band of Brothers' Ron Livingston as Larry Sokolov, Dick Tracy's Paul Sorvino as Buddy Stafford, Kangaroo Jack's Estella Warren as Charlene, Arthur J. Nascarella as Nicky 'Fingers' Bonnatto and Ellen Greene as Doris. Macy is fantastic as the loser finding true love and his luck change for the greater good, Bello is really good as his luck bringing love interest, and Baldwin is great as the greedy and easily angered boss. This film obviously isn't a film made for a lot of money, and it has a simple story, but that is what makes it a believable and splendid romantic drama. Very good!
Review of The Cooler
