The Cooler

The Perfect Independent Film, ‘The Cooler’

Now, for those who don’t know, I am a self-professed William H. Macy lover. The man seems to be one of the hardest working actors ever and even in films that flop, he still manages to shine like a mirror in the sun. I have long awaited every year to see him receive an Oscar, just one! But no, he’s always overlooked as playing the silent one too well. So yes, this review is probably gently angled in his favor. With that being recognized, I still whole heartedly believe that he deserves an Oscar for his turn in The Cooler. Maria Bello also deserved a nomination. The fact that neither Macy nor Bello were nominated indicates just how stiff the competition was for 2004. At least Alec Baldwin got nominated for his outstanding work.

In Wayne Kramer’s film about an unlucky man and his trip to find happiness, not a single performance disappoints. Baldwin and Macy control the show as they allow the viewer small but insightful glimpses into their disturbing friendship. Baldwin pulls off the feat of being both vicious and protective. He’s like a dog who has found his favorite bone and doesn’t want to let go of it for anything. Macy on the other hand is the unhappy and unlucky employee who struggles to find something worthwhile in his every day. Not only that, but Maria Bello pulls off her part more than convincingly as Lady Luck. Even Jesse Bradley turns in a spirited performance as the annoying undergrad consultant. Wayne Kramer, of recent Running Scared fame, really flexes his director muscle in this piece. How? By not being apparent anywhere in the film. Seriously, the hardest trick for a production to pull off is the feel of being told in front of your eyes for the first time. The shots are all well planned as are the montages, the actors perform exquisitely well and the script, my God, the script is amazing!

From a popular viewpoint the script is good or just okay (hey, it has a semi happy ending which is good, right?), but what most people don’t realize is the amount of work put into a produce-able script. The only expensive location in the film had to have been the casino. By using only a relatively few cheap locations and keeping the excitement to character interactions and dialogue, it allows money that would be tied up in the budgeting process to be freed for things like better actors or more creative editing. Also, the twists and turns jump off the screen at times and makes you re-evaluate what you had already seen. Another great feat of the script is that the presence of Vegas is felt in every character and scene. It’s an oppressive, flashy hammer that pounds on everyone in the movie to create a sense of destiny. I recommend the script to anyone who would think of writing for film as an excellent example of what to write, especially to start off your career as a potential director.

Other great features of the film? The sound editing is actually quite superb in every way. The sound reflects everything from atmosphere to pacing and occasionally allows insight into Macy’s character. The music itself is not necessarily memorable and is mostly the standard Vegas fare, but the sound effects and the timing really adds a lot to this story and is layered and interwoven brilliantly into the dialogue and action on screen. Another great touch was the idea for the special lighting whenever Bernie (Macy’s character) is in a good mood and his luck changes. The lighting adds a nice touch of flare and a brief escape of hope in the audience for Macy’s character since it comes so rarely and he is pitiable.

4.5 out of 5

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