The Movie Waffler The Curious Role of THE COOLER | The Movie Waffler

The Curious Role of THE COOLER




Actor William H. Macy began his screen career in the early '80s, but it wasn't until the '90s that he became a prolific character actor with supporting roles in films like Fargo, Boogie Nights and Magnolia. In 2003, Macy finally got the chance to be a leading man with his role in director Wayne Kramer's The Cooler.

In The Cooler, Macy plays Bernie Lootz, a man whose luck is so bad that he's employed by Las Vegas casino boss Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin) to bring bad luck to the gamblers that visit his casino. Lootz is such a Jonah that simply playing at the same table as him can destroy your chances of winning.

Do casinos really employ "coolers" like Lootz to help give themselves an advantage? It's generally agreed that the use of coolers is a myth, and certainly no reputable casino would indulge in such tactics. However, winning streaks can be affected by new players joining a table and thus disrupting the distribution of cards. If you're paranoid about a Bernie Lootz ruining your hot streak, better to stay at home and play a Slot Online in the comfort of your own home.

In The Cooler, Lootz's luck changes when he meets Natalie Belisario (Maria Bello), a pretty cocktail waitress who takes a job at his casino. Lootz falls head over heels for Belisario, and to his surprise, his feelings are reciprocated. This gives him a newfound confidence that changes his luck. Unfortunately for Lootz, it also ruins his abilities as a cooler, no longer able to change players' luck for the worse. This brings him into conflict with Kaplow, whose violent ways Lootz is already all too familiar with, having once had his kneecap broken by the casino owner when he failed to repay a debt.

The Cooler is both a tense thriller and a romantic drama. Macy shines in the title role, and it's a shame he never won more meaty parts like Bernie Lootz. But then we'd have missed out on all the great supporting roles Macy brought his unique presence to. Unlike Lootz, as an actor Macy made those around him seem better by his presence. You might say he's an anti-cooler.