The Cooler (2003)

In the neon-lit heart of Las Vegas, the Shangri-La Hotel and Casino is a fortress of the past, staunchly resisting the tide of modernization sweeping the city. At its helm is Shelly Kaplow, a dyed-in-the-wool Vegas traditionalist who despises the encroaching Disneyfication of the Strip. Shelly maintains control using the old school methods: intimidation, threats, and violence. He caters to a clientele who pine for the bygone era of the Rat Pack, employing methods as old as the city itself. One such tool in Shelly's arsenal is Bernie Lootz, a 'cooler' with an uncanny ability to quench the winning streaks of high-rolling players simply by his presence. Bernie, a hapless, down-on-his-luck individual, owes Shelly a debt paid off in bad luck and a limp from a broken knee. But with one week left on his ledger, Bernie dreams of leaving the casino and the city of sin behind him for good. However, life has different plans for Bernie. His estranged son, Mikey, along with his pregnant girlfriend Charlene, re-enter his life with a desperate need for money. Simultaneously, Bernie finds himself drawn to Natalie Belisario, a beautiful new waitress at the casino who reciprocates his affection. Natalie, a firm believer in the stars' influence on one's fate, insists their romance can only blossom if they remain in Vegas, forcing Bernie to reconsider his exit plans. Meanwhile, Shelly's traditionalist reign faces a threat when Nicky Bonnatto, a mob investor, introduces Larry Sokolov, a young Harvard grad determined to modernize the casino. As the winds of change whip through the Shangri-La, Bernie's love for Natalie might just turn his luck around, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between the old ways and the new. In a city where fortunes can flip with the toss of a chip, everyone must play their cards close and brace for the unpredictable climactic turn.

The Cooler is a drama movie featuring William H. Macy and directed by Wayne Kramer.

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