Overview
In the high-stakes world of Las Vegas, love can change everything, even bad luck.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- darkly comic
- intimate
- late night viewing
- casino movie marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film a small, skillful neo-noir elevated by superb performances, especially Alec Baldwin's portrayal of an aging Las Vegas hard-liner.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bernie Lootz is employed by a casino to contaminate gamblers with his supposedly contagious losing streak.
Bernie's relationship with cocktail waitress Natalie develops while casino operators and mob-linked interests attempt to control his life.
The film centers on an old-style casino and Shelly Kaplow's attachment to a declining Las Vegas order.
The casino plot, morally compromised power structure, nocturnal atmosphere, and tender outsider romance combine noir conventions with emotional warmth.
Films like The Cooler, and why
Casino
Shared neo-noir atmosphere, casino underworld setting, gambling themes, and morally compromised characters.
Leaving Las Vegas
Shared romantic melancholy, bruised outsiders, darkly comic tone, and intimate character-driven drama.
Buffalo '66
Shared offbeat romance, criminal milieu, bittersweet humor, and unconventional protagonists.
The Ice Harvest
Shared stylized neo-noir setting, fatalistic mood, romantic tension, and a small-scale crime story.
Movie Details
- Director
- Wayne Kramer
- Release Date
- 2003-11-26
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (402)
Cast
- William H. Macy
- Alec Baldwin
- Maria Bello
- Shawn Hatosy
- Ron Livingston
- Paul Sorvino
- Estella Warren
- Arthur J. Nascarella
- Joey Fatone
- M.C. Gainey
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Cooler about?
- A cursed casino fixer discovers that love may be the one force capable of breaking his losing streak and defying an aging Vegas power structure.
- What is The Cooler like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Cooler as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Cooler violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Cooler as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Cooler?
- Critics generally found the film a small, skillful neo-noir elevated by superb performances, especially Alec Baldwin's portrayal of an aging Las Vegas hard-liner.
- Which films are like The Cooler?
- Films with a similar feel include Casino, Leaving Las Vegas, Buffalo '66, and The Ice Harvest.
- How long is The Cooler?
- The Cooler runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Cooler?
- In United States, The Cooler streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel.
