The Iceman (2012)

The story of Richard Kuklinski, the notorious contract killer and family man. When finally arrested in 1986, neither his wife nor daughters had any clue about his real profession.

Director:

Ariel Vromen

Writers:

Morgan Land (screenplay), Ariel Vromen (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Shannon, Chris Evans, James Franco

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Shannon	...	Richard Kuklinski
Winona Ryder	...	Deborah Pellicotti
Chris Evans	...	Mr. Freezy
Ray Liotta	...	Roy Demeo
David Schwimmer	...	Josh Rosenthal
Danny A. Abeckaser	...	Dino Lapron (as Danny Abeckaser)
John Ventimiglia	...	Mickey Scicoli
Ryan O'Nan	...	Terry Franzo
McKaley Miller	...	Anabel
Megan Sherrill	...	Betsy
James Franco	...	Marty Freeman
Stephen Dorff	...	Joey Kuklinski
Hector Hugo	...	Tender Bar Earl (as Hector Hank)
Robert Davi	...	Leonard Merks
Zoran Radanovich	...	Jimmy

Storyline

In the 1960s, Richard Kuklinski is working as a porn film lab tech until his mob bosses persuade him to change his career into that of a contract killer. For years, Kuklinski gains a reputation for cold blooded professionalism even as he raises a family who are kept in the dark about his true career. Unfortunately, mob politics ultimately forces him to secretly work independently with the psychopathic Robert 'Mr. Freezy' Pronge. As much as Kuklinski tries to keep his lives separate, circumstances and his own weaknesses threaten a terrible collision as the consequences of his choices finally catch up to him.

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Plot Keywords:

serial murderer | based on true story | contract killer | murder of a girl | crime family | 

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Taglines:

Loving husband. Devoted father. Ruthless killer.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language and some sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name on Mr.Freezy's van is 'Captain Freezy". This is a possible nod to Chris Evan's role as Captain America.

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Goofs

One hour, thirty four mins and thirty nine seconds into the movie when Richard Kuklinski is being arrested in his 1976 Lincoln continental with his wife, there is a December 2013 New Hampshire Vehicle inspection sticker that appears on the windshield when the camera zooms into their faces to see their reactions to the armed police officers approaching them.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mr. Freezy: Mr. Kuklinski, do you have any regrets about the things you've done?

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Connections

References Cinderella (1950)

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Soundtracks

Lover's Glance
Written by Stephen Edwards
Published by Source In Sync Music (ASCAP) / Engine Co 35 Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

User Reviews

Difficult to emotionally invest in but wickedly entertaining.

With 2011's Take Shelter, Michael Shannon is proving to be a fascinating leading man. Just through his presence, he can convey that unstable line between sanity and insanity and bad and good. You can just tell his inner conflict is going to explode at boiling point. It's unfortunate that while Shannon certainly transforms into the 'iceman,' The Iceman's script doesn't call for much of his range. Instead, it's a moody gangster film that revels in the moments where it can step just beyond the clichés while still pressing all the standard buttons. It's interesting in these kinds of scenes where a mob boss forces an associate to give to a homeless person or Shannon lets James Franco's cameo pray to God just to see what happens. It's a well-acted film, particularly Winona Ryder standing out in the supporting cast and it's very slickly made. But the fundamental problem with the film is its rhythm. The editing is constantly hectic even at the smallest things. There's no natural fluctuations that give emotional moments gravitas or action moments excitement. It does end up fatiguing and it lessens the sense of journey and change. Nevertheless, it's still a wickedly entertaining thrill ride to the end, just blunt at its edges.

7/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 May 2013 (Lebanon)

Also Known As:

The Iceman

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$87,946, 5 May 2013

Gross USA:

$1,969,193

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,552,970

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bleiberg Entertainment, Millennium Films, FortyFour Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1