THE COOLER

"The Cooler" is an interesting film. Slow in parts with occasional annoying pacing, it was still a worthwhile evening out. It seems what I missed at Bar 13 was John S. Hall talking about his dick and Anis and Morgan doing well in the slam. That would of been interesting and since I happen to like and get along with both Anis and Morgan, celebrating would have been done. Instead I got see William H. Macy's bare ass. Not just his bare ass, but almost his bare everything. If Maria Bello's hand hadn't been covering his penis, that would of been in full view at a point as well.

The movie displays Macy at his best, but I wouldn't expect any less from one of the best. Amazingly, Alec Baldwin is also at his best. A lot of folks I know can't stand him as an actor. I've always been indifferent. He takes his role here of a casino owner who doesn't want to give up the old ways and really has fun with it. His age is showing, so roles like this are excellent for him. Maria Bello is lovely in the film as well. You can easily fall in love with her character. You also could easily fall in love with her period. She did a Q & A session before the film and she's just an amazing woman. Lovely, quick witted, caring and warm.

Other notable performances are Ron Livingston as a smarmy "new Vegas" kind of guy trying to change Baldwin's casino, Paul Sorvino as a lounge act singer on his last ropes (and yes Sorvino even sings a tune), and Joey Fatone (yes, of N*Sync, but also of My Big Fat Greek Wedding) as a young up n coming Las Vegas act, he also sings a number of tunes.

The story of the film isn't exactly heart-warming and a lot of the characters are pretty unlikable, but this is Las Vegas and these are Las Vegas livers. I speak of the Las Vegas strip area mostly, not Las Vegas as a whole (I know that not most of everyone who lives in Vegas is reprehensible, right hallawayjoe?) Now when I say the story, I mean the characters backgrounds and histories... the core itself, the love story that happens is very heart-warming and possibly one of the most realistic ones I've seen displayed on screen in awhile. So where the plot lacks heart, the love contains plenty. Also where it lacks heart, it conveys a lot of conviction and passion. All the characters know what they want and what they're going to do to get it. They can't predict where it all end up, but they sure as all do try their best to win, and when they lose, they still win in some fashion. As clarity, introspection, and being free of pain and regret is always a way of winning. Taking a chance is winning, no matter the outcome.

For a South African writer/director who's two previous films have included a horror film about rock n roll and noted award winning Crossing Over, as well as his next film being the Renny Harlin directed Val Kilmer, LL Cool J action film Mindhunters, this (The Cooler) induction on his credits reveals him to be a brilliant and powerful writer and director with lots of vision. Although, he did have help on the writing from friend and screen writer Frank Hannah. I don't know Vegas personally, but I felt I did from this film. It helped that I've followed and seen Vegas documentaries and read books on its history, but the movie wasn't really about Vegas. It was about playing the odds, and not knowing what will be the result, but without trying, you never will.