The Cooler - Quick Movie Review and a Question

[Rick Nebiolo]

Saw "The Cooler" with William H. Macy yesterday. I like Macy's acting and enjoyed the movie. I'd give it a B+.

I've heard old time casino operators are superstitious but did "Coolers" actually exist?

[andyfox]

I've always liked Macy, and Baldwin too, but I thought Macy was playing Macy too much and Baldwin was playing a version of his SNL DeNiro impression. I hated it. D-. And nobody else in the theater liked it as much as I did. Other than my wife, though, I was the youngest one in the theater. But I felt like I needed a shower after I watched it. Disappointing after the rave in the Times.

I don't know if coolers really were used, but my wife could be one. I'll let others elaborate.

[Rick Nebiolo]

[ QUOTE ]
I've always liked Macy, and Baldwin too, but I thought Macy was playing Macy too much and Baldwin was playing a version of his SNL DeNiro impression. I hated it. D-. And nobody else in the theater liked it as much as I did. Other than my wife, though, I was the youngest one in the theater. But I felt like I needed a shower after I watched it. Disappointing after the rave in the Times.

I don't know if coolers really were used, but my wife could be one. I'll let others elaborate.

[/ QUOTE ]

Most reviews seemed upbeat. I went with my best friend and we went in expecting to like it so for us it may have been a self fullfulling type of thing. Your review would fit right in on this site:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheCooler-1127399/reviews.php

Regards,

Rick

[M.B.E.]

The film just opened in Vancouver and I saw it today. The premise is ridiculous of course, but other than that I kind of liked it. (I enjoy films that reinforce my belief that friends and family never tell you the truth.)

[Bill Murphy]

Well acted by Macy, Bello, & Baldwin, but everyone else was terrible, even giving consideration to the talent gap. Script was terrible.

I think its long been time for the "mob in Vegas" bit to die. Lets turn those pagers to 2004, ya'll. Beating up people on the floor, breaking legs in the basement, *yaWn*.

And this is a nit, but the movie lost me right at the beginning when Baldwin said "Fremont's about.." rather than "Fremont STREET's about..". Nit, I know, but that really bugged me in a way the much worse gaffes in Rounders didn't.

I was very disappointed. Too high expectations, I guess.

[Nick]

I liked the movie and would agree with the B+ given by another poster. Macy was great, Baldwin was also and gave a good example of his ability in a non leading-man type role. Good three tiered tension between the 'boss' Baldwin, the new punk from Harvard pressing from above and Baldwin squeezing Macy and others below. The nude/sex sceens with the attractive but not unrealistically gorgeous
leading lady were good.

[Phat Mack]

I liked the story. I liked the photography. Baldwin was very good, Macy was Macy.

I thought the dialogue was cliched and trite.

Might be best to wait for it to hit the dollar house.