Thin Ice (2011)
"The Convincer" (original title)

An insurance agent looking for a way out of frigid Wisconsin is blackmailed by an unstable locksmith in the theft of a rare violin that belongs to a retired farmer.

Director:

Jill Sprecher

Writers:

Jill Sprecher, Karen Sprecher

Stars:

Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Lea Thompson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greg Kinnear	...	Mickey Prohaska
John Paul Gamoke	...	Man at Coffee Shop
David Harbour	...	Bob Egan
Jennifer Edwards-Hughes	...	Sherri (as Jennifer M. Edwards)
Scott Crouch	...	Casino Emcee
Peter Moore	...	Phil Peters
Michelle Hutchison	...	Judy Vandenhoevel
James Detmar	...	Glen Vandenhoevel
Michael Paul Levin	...	Chuck Stankel
Kathryn Lawrey	...	Hotel Clerk
Joe Minjares	...	Hotel Manager
Michelle Arthur	...	Karla Gruenke
Peter Thoemke	...	Frank Richie
Alan Arkin	...	Gorvy Hauer
Lea Thompson	...	Jo Ann Prohaska

Storyline

An insurance agent looking for a way out of frigid Wisconsin is blackmailed by an unstable locksmith in the theft of a rare violin that belongs to a retired farmer.

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Plot Keywords:

salesman | title directed by female

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Taglines:

Greetings from Kenosha, WI! Where Ordinary Folks Can Make a Killing.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, and brief violent and sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

ATO Pictures [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 January 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Thin Ice

Filming Locations:

Stillwater, Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$183,527 (USA) (17 February 2012)

Gross:

$789,752 (USA) (18 May 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

ATO Pictures, Werc Werk Works, Spare Room Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The violin shop featured in the film, Dahl Violins, is an actual violin shop in downtown Minneapolis. In the film, the shop is supposed to be located in Chicago. However, when Mickey and Randy break into the shop at night, the skyline which is prominently featured in the scene's initial shot is obviously Minneapolis, not Chicago.

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Soundtracks

"Leave Our Worries"
Written by Christopher A. Corley and Jon D'Agostino
Performed by Serendipity
Published by Astonishing Music (BMI) /
Music Expressions ASCAP
Courtesy of Crucial Music

User Reviews

cop out ending

Very similar to Fargo we have Thin Ice. A cocky convincing insurance agent (Kinnear) thinks he's found his answer to all his problems when he finds out that after making a sale with a senile, lonely, old man (Arkin) that the old man has a violin worth thousands. Everything goes to plan to steal the violin until he meets a locksmith.

So here's the thing. We have an engaging thriller. Each scene does an excellent job escalating keep you biting your fingernails. You don't think anything could get worst but it always seems to. In fact it's very awkward and nerve racking.

Kinnear does an excellent job playing a sleazy salesman where at times literally steals and manipulate his clients. He's ahead of the game and for some reason we root for him. (Not sure about the unnecessary voice over) Arkin does an excellent job as the lovable elder man whom seems to only have a few years left in the tank. And then there is Billy Crudup, the crazy psychotic locksmith.

I got to tell you I loved this film. Well that is until the last ten minutes which not only left my jaw drop in disgust but also to many critics. It completely ruins the great performances and tone of the film. In fact, I hated the ending.

But all in all it was a good ride for a while.

My rating: 5.75/10 or C+