The Cooler (2003)
78%RT Audience Score: 69%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
9 wins & 26 nominations total
A small movie elevated by superb performances
The Cooler” is a movie that’s like a game of poker – some people love it, some people hate it, and some people just don’t get it. But if you’re looking for a fun, trashy, and raffish time, then this B-movie is definitely worth a watch. William H. Macy is his usual hangdog self, but it’s Alec Baldwin who steals the show as a ruthless casino boss. The performances are top-notch, the cinematography is elegant, and the story is a sweet underdog romantic dramedy. So deal me in, baby!
Production Company(ies)
Cristaldifilm Les Films, Ariane Rai 3
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Landmark Hotel – Convention Center Drive and Paradise Road, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for strong sexuality, violence, language and some drug use
Year of Release
2004
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 41m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 2003 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 27, 2004
Genre(s)
Drama/Romance
Keyword(s)
starring William H Macy, Alec Baldwin, Maria Bello, Shawn Hatosy, Ron Livingston, Paul Sorvino, directed by Wayne Kramer, written by Frank Hannah and Wayne Kramer, drama, romance, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Lisa Schwarzbaum, Nick Schager, Wendy Ide, Marjorie Baumgarten, Geoff Pevere, Jay Boyar, Debbie Lynn Elias, Rob Aldam, Cole Smithey, Felix Vasquez Jr., Emanuel Levy, rated R, Las Vegas, casino, bad luck, jinx, waitress, gangster, Ivy League, romantic dramedy, Mark Isham, Deus Ex Machina
Worldwide gross: $10,464,788
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $16,508,061
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,783
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,800,225
US/Canada gross: $8,291,572
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $13,079,842
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,537
US/Canada opening weekend: $128,973
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $203,453
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,661
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $3,200,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $5,047,957
Production budget ranking: 1,878
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,718,325
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $8,741,780
ROI to date (est.): 113%
ROI ranking: 891
Alec Baldwin – Shelly Kaplow
Maria Bello – Natalie Belisario
Shawn Hatosy – Mikey
Ron Livingston – Larry Sokolov
Paul Sorvino – Buddy Stafford
Director(s)
Wayne Kramer
Writer(s)
Frank Hannah, Wayne Kramer
Producer(s)
Michael A. Pierce, Sean Furst
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
9 wins & 26 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (173) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (134) | Rotten (39)
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
A pointless, money-depleting waste of time to be avoided at all costs.
May 3, 2005 | Rating: D
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
TOP CRITIC
Macy wears his habitual hangdog expression like a cheap, crumpled suit that’s been slept in a few too many times
June 16, 2004
Wendy Ide
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A blast to watch if for nothing more than the performances.
January 18, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
In reconstructing Macy’s equal-opportunity loser persona as a romantic winner, The Cooler forgets what made its star so winning in the first place.
January 16, 2004 | Rating: 2/5
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
A B-movie in the best sense: Unpretentious. Raffish. Just trashy enough to be six kinds of fun without making you hate yourself in the morning.
January 16, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
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.
November 7, 2019
Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens
It’s a beautifully made film resplendent with powerful performances and elegantly cinematography.
December 20, 2018
Rob Aldam
Backseat Mafia
“The Cooler” is a complex ‘small’ movie that packs a big punch.
May 11, 2009 | Rating: B
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
A sweet underdog romantic dramedy…
April 29, 2009
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
What elevates this Vegas-set drama above the routine is the high-caliber acting of William H. Macy, Maria Bello, and especially Alex Baldwin, who received a well-deserved Oscar nomination.
December 28, 2008 | Rating: B
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
December 27, 2007 | Rating: 3/4
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound…
Plot
The unluckiest man in Vegas – a guy whose bad luck is contagious – is used by the last of the old time mob run casinos to kill high rollers’ action. That is, until he falls in love with a cocktail waitress and gets “lady luck,” which throws the situation into reverse. Things turn nasty when the casino director tries to break up the romance.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Alec Baldwin received an Oscar nomination for his role as the ruthless casino boss, Shelly Kaplow.
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