Ice Men (2004)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Thom Best

Writer:

Michael MacLennan (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

For the first time since taking possession of the family cabin, Vaughn has invited his best friends up for a winter weekend of hunting and drinking...

Plot Keywords:

Cabin | Birthday | Hot Tub | Gay Interest | Photographer

Cast

David Hewlett	...	Bryan
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Martin Cummins	...	Vaughn
Galen Dineen	...	Young Boy
Henry Dineen	...	Young Boy
Thea Gill	...	Jennifer
Justin Heeley	...	Young Boy
Keith Jackson	...	Young Boy
Brandy Ledford	...	Renee
Travis Ryder	...	Young Boy
Greg Spottiswood	...	Jon
James Thomas	...	Steve
Ian Tracey	...	Trevor

Directed by
Thom Best

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Michael MacLennan		writer

Produced by
Erin Berry	....	associate producer
Stephen Braund	....	associate producer
Mihkel Harilaid	....	producer
Rick Warden	....	producer
Darin Wilson	....	associate producer

Cinematography by
Gavin Smith

Film Editing by
Andrew Kowalchuk
Mike Munn

Production Management
Darin Wilson	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David C. Malcolm	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Anthony Morassutti	....	carpenter

Sound Department
Eric Apps	....	sound re-recording mixer
Erik Culp	....	foley mixer
Graham Jones	....	dialogue editor
Robert Warchol	....	sound effects editor

Camera and Electrical Department
Terry Banting	....	gaffer
Sophie Giraud	....	still photographer
Sean Jensen	....	Steadicam operator
Sean Jensen	....	camera operator

Editorial Department
Tom Mayclim	....	negative cutter
Ricardo Olivero	....	color timer

Music Department
Amy Fritz	....	music licensing
Stacey Horricks	....	music supervisor

Production Companies

• Black Walk Productions
• First Frame Films

Distributors

• Wolfe Releasing (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• Europa Filmes (2008) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Optimale (2007) (France) (DVD)

Runtime:

Canada:108 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Canada:14A

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Black Walk Productions

The Big Chill

Four twenty-something guys, all of whom were childhood friends, get together at a cabin in the snowy backwoods of Ontario for some weekend hunting, poker playing, and general male bonding. The film calls to mind "The Big Chill" (1983), with its ensemble cast, about the weekend reunion of old friends.

In "Ice Men", one of the four guys is Vaughn (Martin Cummins), who owns the cabin. He is outraged when his estranged, older brother, Trevor (Ian Tracey), shows up unexpectedly, crawling around under the house, of all things. Trevor's arrival changes the group dynamics, and propels the plot toward expressions of anger and resentment, suitable as a basis for requisite story tension and conflict. But there's too much angst, and the story descends into a kind of male bonding soap opera.

The script is very talky. Yet, we actually learn relatively little about the five guys. Vaughn is self-centered, and belligerent toward the others. I didn't like him at all. Questions about these guys, and their back-stories, are left largely unresolved. And it's up to viewers to interpret character arcs and the story's overall message.

The film's ensemble acting is generally acceptable. Color cinematography is fine, especially interior lighting. Several flashbacks show the guys as childhood friends. The plot's pace is slow, with very long camera "takes". Background music is haunting and low-key.

Maybe the point of the film is to show how adult men interact with each other when they're alone. Or maybe the point is to show the effect of time, as childhood friends mature into adults. But I'm really not sure. The story's theme is ambiguous. And the story itself, like the ice they play hockey on, is rather thin.

"Ice Men" may be of some interest to viewers interested in cinematic character studies. But somehow, I just couldn't get interested in these guys and all their ... issues.