The Ice Harvest (2005)

A shady lawyer attempts a Christmas Eve crime, hoping to swindle the local mob out of some money. But his partner, a strip club owner, might have different plans for the cash.

Director:

Harold Ramis

Writers:

Richard Russo (screenplay), Robert Benton (screenplay)

Stars:

John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Connie Nielsen

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Charlie Arglist
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Vic Cavanaugh
Lara Phillips	...	Rusti
Bill Noble	...	Culligan
Brad Smith	...	Ronny
Ned Bellamy	...	Sidney
Connie Nielsen	...	Renata Crest
Mike Starr	...	Roy Gelles
T.J. Jagodowski	...	Officer Tyler
Meghan Maureen McDonough	...	Francie
Tab Baker	...	Dennis
Frank Gallo	...	Restaurateur
William Dick	...	Manager
Oliver Platt	...	Pete Van Heuten
David Pasquesi	...	Councilman Williams

Storyline

Larceny, lust and lethal behavior. In icebound Wichita, Kansas, it's Christmas Eve, and this year Charlie Arglist just might have something to celebrate. Charlie, an attorney for the sleazy businesses of Wichita, and his unsavory associate, the steely Vic Cavanaugh have just successfully embezzled $2 million from Kansas City boss Bill Guerrard. But the real prize for Charlie is the stunning Renata, who runs the Sweet Cage strip club. Charlie hopes to slip out of town with Renata. But as daylight fades and an ice storm whirls, everyone from Charlie's drinking buddy Pete Van Heuten to the local police begin to wonder just what exactly is in Charlie's Christmas stocking - and the 12 hours of Christmas Eve are filled with surprises.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | christmas eve | strip club | ice | money | 

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Taglines:

'Twas the night before Christmas...

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and sexuality/nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Universal [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

La cosecha de hielo

Filming Locations:

Carpentersvillle, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,740,799 (USA) (25 November 2005)

Gross:

$8,819,059 (USA) (9 December 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Focus Features, Bona Fide Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of Lindsay Porter's character 'Gladys' means 'Slippery Ice' in Dutch (glad ijs). Therefore it directly refers to the Dutch expression "Zich op glad ijs begeven" ("Being on slippery ice") which is applied when one finds oneself beyond known conditions and anything might happen.

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Goofs

When Vic and Charlie are in the restaurant after Charlie drops and breaks his phone, it is intact/broken in subsequent shots.

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Quotes

Renata: It's against my religion to give out personal advice, but you should either sober up or get real drunk.

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Connections

References Alvin & the Chipmunks (1983)

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Soundtracks

The Little Drummer Boy
Written by Harry Simeone, Katherine Davis and Henry Onorati
Performed by Tony Babino (as Tony B)
Courtesy of Robert Rosenblatt Associates

User Reviews

Loved it!

I also saw this film at the Virginia Film Festival, but I must disagree with the other fellow who wrote it up. I loved it. I'm not a huge Cusack fan, but I have to say he does a great job carrying this small, gritty, character-driven film. And I thought Oliver Platt was great throughout. It's a terrific script, too, co-written by none other than Robert Benton. Kudos to Harold Ramis for having the guts to make this indie film! Is it commercial? Is it going to make a lot at the B.O.? No, it's not. It's another WONDER BOYS. It's another BIG LEBOWSKI. It's another CUTTER'S WAY. It's another NOBODY'S FOOL. Won't make money, but who cares... It was a delight to watch and I'm sure I'll see it again on a big screen and own it on DVD.