The Cooler
Director Wayne Kramer
Rarely do we have an opportunity to see cinematic perfection.
Coppola was kind enough to give us "The Godfather" and
Scorcese hit us with "Goodfellas" and John Milius bestowed
"Conan the Barbarian" unto the world, just to name a
few of the finest films to date. You can now add Wayne Kramer
and "The Cooler" to this list. Vegas is the playground
Kramer chooses to tell this unlikely story of a serious loser
who falls in love with Lady Luck and his fortunes consequently
change. We all know that in real estate there are three keys to
success: "location, location, location"! In film there
are three keys that Kramer knows all too well: "casting,
casting, casting"! From top to bottom you are treated to
pure genius from a veteran cast that includes the typically fantastic
William H. Macy, Oscar nominated Alec Baldwin, the suprising Maria
Bello, Paul Sorvino, Ron Livingston, and "Dildo" from
"Outside Providence" a.k.a. Shawn Hatosy. Also crucial
to this roller coaster ride is the fabulously smooth script. You
can't help but feel attatched to the sympathetic central character
Bernie Lootz. He is so pitiful and yet has not a single whiney
bone in his body. Lootz, played to perfection by Macy, is the
most extreme contrast to Casino boss Shelly Kaplow. Shelly seems
to have "it" all but actually is self-loathing whereas
Lootz is content with his sad life. The Academy has recongnized
Baldwin's superior portrayal of Kaplow with a nomination for Best
Supporting Actor and it is certainly warranted, but the real scene
stealer is Natalie, equisitely portrayed by Maria Bello. Her compassion
and "hippieish"intensity as the cocktail waitress who
changes life for Lootz is skillful! The story shucks and jives
into the seedy world of "Sin City" and back to the most
basic human desires of love and loyalty with ease. What else can
I say: The lighting is transforming, the score is a subtle storm
of mood, the set design had me craving a cigarette, cheap scotch,
and a $2.99 buffet! Thankyou Wayne Kramer for your perfect film!
(Pat Connor)
Rating: A Naked Eva Mendez
