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Romantic drama

The Cooler (2003): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Cooler (2003) movie poster

The Cooler is a 2003 romantic drama directed by Wayne Kramer, starring William H. Macy, Maria Bello and Alec Baldwin. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $10.5 million worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
worldwide gross
$10.5M
award nominations
6
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The Cooler (2003) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Director
Wayne Kramer
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Cooler About?

The premise of The Cooler without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

After serving time in prison, four former partners are released and find themselves unexpectedly reunited. They were once involved in a crime that required them to disappear for over two decades, a period known as "cooling off." Now, as they adjust to life outside, old relationships are tested, buried secrets emerge, and the consequences of their past threaten their newfound freedom and uncertain future.

The Cooler Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • casino
  • card playing
  • sex in bed
  • female frontal nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • waitress
  • money
  • cocktail waitress
  • gambling
  • public nudity
  • orgasm
+38 more
  • cunnilingus
  • sex
  • female nudity
  • card dealer
  • casino card game
  • blackjack
  • oral sex
  • gambler
  • red panties
  • luck
  • cooler
  • mob
  • loser
  • high roller
  • neo noir
  • fondling
  • undressing
  • nightclub singer
  • prostitute
  • cheating
  • dice
  • bad luck
  • cigarette smoking
  • male nudity
  • blonde woman
  • topless dancer
  • school
  • extreme close up
  • playing craps
  • drug addict
  • studio apartment
  • trembling hand
  • alka seltzer
  • architectural model
  • reference to danny davies gans
  • gold zippo lighter
  • lucky streak
  • slight of hand
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Cast & crew

The Cooler Cast

William H. Macy leads the cast, with Maria Bello and Alec Baldwin. Directed by Wayne Kramer.

From the director

More from Wayne Kramer

More films directed by Wayne Kramer, best-rated first: Running Scared, Crossing Over and Pawn Shop Chronicles.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Cooler Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Cooler 6.9/10.

Plot

The Cooler Plot Summary

What happens in The Cooler from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

We are introduced to the dazzling lights of Las Vegas as the camera glides over the city, eventually focusing on the Shangri-La hotel. Inside the bustling casino, guests revel in luck—until we meet Joe, a floor boss who urgently needs Bernie Lootz (William H. Macy). The moment Bernie arrives in a shabby suit, disaster strikes, and luck turns against everyone as he limps through the crowd. As he greets Doris, a friendly barmaid, he requests coffee with cream, but the creamer is empty, hinting at the bad luck he brings.

Full summary

The whole story of The Cooler, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Cooler Box Office

The Cooler grossed $10.5 million worldwide. $8.3 million came from the US and Canada and $2.2 million (21%) from the rest of the world.

2003 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.5M

US & Canada
$8.3M
International
$2.2M
US & Canada 79% Rest of the world 21%
Awards

The Cooler Awards & Nominations

The Cooler was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 6 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.

6 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

The Cooler Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Cooler.

the cooler
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Cooler?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the primary role of Bernie Lootz in the Shangri-La casino?

Cars

Cars in The Cooler

11 cars on screen, including the 1967 Chrysler Newport and the 1966 Ford Galaxie 500.

All 11 cars
  • 1967 Chrysler Newport in The Cooler 1967 Chrysler Newport Main role
  • 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 in The Cooler 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 Minor role
  • Jeep Cherokee in The Cooler Jeep Cherokee Minor role
  • 2001 Lexus LS 430 in The Cooler 2001 Lexus LS 430 Minor role
Details

The Cooler Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “Golpe de suerte” and “Smolar”.

Also known as
  • Golpe de suerte
  • Smolar
  • The Cooler - Alles auf Liebe
  • Lady Chance
  • A szerencseforgató
  • קולר - להרגיש את וגאס
  • Тормоз
  • The Cooler - Quebrando a Banca
  • Убиецът на шанса
  • Vegas'ta Son Şans
  • 러브 인 카지노
  • Smolař
+5 more
  • Ο Γκαντέμης
  • 倒霉蛋
  • Невдаха
  • Lov na srečo
  • 倒黴蛋

Seen The Cooler?

FAQ

The Cooler FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Cooler, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Cooler?

The Cooler runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was The Cooler released?

The Cooler was released on November 26, 2003.

Who directed The Cooler?

The Cooler was directed by Wayne Kramer.

More films by Wayne Kramer

Who is in the cast of The Cooler?

The Cooler stars William H. Macy, Maria Bello and Alec Baldwin.

How much did The Cooler make at the box office?

The Cooler grossed $10.5 million worldwide ($8.3 million domestic, $2.2 million international).

How is The Cooler rated?

The Cooler has 6.9/10 on IMDb.

Was The Cooler nominated for any awards?

The Cooler received 6 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

Does The Cooler have a post-credit scene?

No. The Cooler has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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