The Cooler

Are we smart enough to like this movie? I sure hope so. If you are old enough to remember old Las Vegas, this trip down memory lane will be full of delicious morsels. If all you know of Vegas is what can be seen from The Strip, welcome to a real Vegas Fremont Street experience. This despite the fact that, except for most of the exterior shots, the movie was actually shot in Reno.

William H. Macy should have received an award for just his facial expressions in this film. The look on his face when he first sees the "Little Joe" tattoo on his leading lady, Maria Bello, is priceless. Great nonverbal story telling. Great Andy Rooney eyebrows.

And let me give huge props to the editing crew. The movie is crisp. The parts when some would let the movie play on, this crew actually fast forwards through the parts we would want them to. Brilliant. Scene transitions are smartly done, almost every time, without the use of blackouts. The story flows perfectly.

Oh, and the music is right out of lounge theaters. There are songs you may not have heard of before. Listen well and see how perfect they fit with the story. As for the music you do recognize, sing along.

Watch this movie with someone who is feeling a little down on their luck and help them have a spectacular day.