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IMDbPro

The Convincer

  • 20112011
  • RR
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
5.1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
27,987
705
Alan Arkin, Greg Kinnear, Michelle Arthur, Michael Paul Levin, Joe Minjares, David Harbour, Kathryn Lawrey, and Scott Crouch in The Convincer (2011)
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.
Play trailer2:23
7 Videos
14 Photos
ComedyCrimeDrama
A dishonest insurance salesman's life quickly disintegrates during a Wisconsin winter when he teams up with a psychopath to steal a rare violin at the home of a reclusive farmer.A dishonest insurance salesman's life quickly disintegrates during a Wisconsin winter when he teams up with a psychopath to steal a rare violin at the home of a reclusive farmer.A dishonest insurance salesman's life quickly disintegrates during a Wisconsin winter when he teams up with a psychopath to steal a rare violin at the home of a reclusive farmer.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
5.1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
27,987
705
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Jill Sprecher
    • Writers
      • Jill Sprecher
      • Karen Sprecher
    • Stars
      • Greg Kinnear
      • Billy Crudup
      • Alan Arkin
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Jill Sprecher
    • Writers
      • Jill Sprecher
      • Karen Sprecher
    • Stars
      • Greg Kinnear
      • Billy Crudup
      • Alan Arkin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 37User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore

    Videos7

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 2:23
    U.S. Version
    Thin Ice
    Trailer 2:18
    Thin Ice
    "Take the Violin"
    Clip 1:07
    "Take the Violin"
    "Curds"
    Clip 0:39
    "Curds"
    "Aruba"
    Clip 1:12
    "Aruba"
    "Second Opinion"
    Clip 0:57
    "Second Opinion"
    Alarm System
    Clip 0:51
    Alarm System

    Photos14

    Billy Crudup and Greg Kinnear in The Convincer (2011)
    Bob Balaban in The Convincer (2011)
    Billy Crudup in The Convincer (2011)
    Lea Thompson in The Convincer (2011)
    Alan Arkin in The Convincer (2011)
    Alan Arkin and Greg Kinnear in The Convincer (2011)
    Billy Crudup and Greg Kinnear in The Convincer (2011)
    Greg Kinnear in The Convincer (2011)
    Billy Crudup and Greg Kinnear in The Convincer (2011)
    Lea Thompson and David Harbour at an event for The Convincer (2011)
    Billy Crudup, Greg Kinnear, and David Harbour in The Convincer (2011)
    Alan Arkin, Greg Kinnear, and David Harbour in The Convincer (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Greg Kinnear
    Greg Kinnear
    • Mickey Prohaska
    Billy Crudup
    Billy Crudup
    • Randy
    Alan Arkin
    Alan Arkin
    • Gorvy Hauer
    Lea Thompson
    Lea Thompson
    • Jo Ann Prohaska
    John Paul Gamoke
    John Paul Gamoke
    • Man at Coffee Shop
    David Harbour
    David Harbour
    • Bob Egan
    Jennifer Edwards-Hughes
    • Sherri
    • (as Jennifer M. Edwards)
    Scott Crouch
    Scott Crouch
    • Casino Emcee
    Peter Moore
    Peter Moore
    • Phil Peters
    Michelle Hutchison
    Michelle Hutchison
    • Judy Vandenhoevel
    James Michael Detmar
    James Michael Detmar
    • Glen Vandenhoevel
    • (as James Detmar)
    Michael Paul Levin
    Michael Paul Levin
    • Chuck Stankel
    Kathryn Lawrey
    • Hotel Clerk
    Joe Minjares
    • Hotel Manager
    Michelle Arthur
    Michelle Arthur
    • Karla Gruenke
    Peter Thoemke
    Peter Thoemke
    • Frank Richie
    Bob Balaban
    Bob Balaban
    • Leonard Dahl
    Alan Johnson
    Alan Johnson
    • Bill Morton
    • Director
      • Jill Sprecher
    • Writers
      • Jill Sprecher
      • Karen Sprecher
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Alan Arkin and Greg Kinnear had appeared together previously in 'Little Miss Sunshine ' (2006).
    • Alternate versions
      The film premiered out of competition at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival under its original title "The Convincer"; that version was edited by Stephen Mirrione and featured an original score by Alex Wurman and Bela Fleck. It was subsequently reedited by Lee Percy and re-scored by Jeff Danna. The new version has been retitled Thin Ice (2011)
    • 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 reviews37

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    loads of late twists help this slightly above average fargo-esque flick
    "Thin Ice", much like Fargo, is a murder-story set in a snowy-midwestern town. The lead character is an immoral salesmen who's life is literally falling apart around him.

    The good news is that "Thin Ice" provides the audience with an even-more-twisty-tale. The performances are steady across the board. Now, I'm not saying this is as good or better than Fargo, IT'S NOT! But, it's a good movie.

    The twists in the last 30 minutes are hefty and hard to scrutinize. There are a few aspects of the plot that were a little predictable, but for the most part the twists in the end were well-concealed and somewhat believable.

    The film moves fairly slow, but never came off to me as boring. It doesn't really have any style to speak of, and the other director elements are nothing special. Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, and Billy Crudip do a fine job with an average script that is completely void of comedic moments(style and comedy were two of Fargo's strengths).

    The plot twists in the last third of the film DO set this one apart, and while the film DOES lack style and comedy, the acting helps keep it afloat.

    I'd say this deserves a bit higher ranking than it's current 6.1 here, but it also isn't something that you should feel the need to move up to the top of your list.

    A Coen Brothers story without some of the Coen Bro's trademarks.

    I'm stuck between 6 and 7 here at 65/100, but rounding up and taking into consideration the low 6.1 score.

    You might like this if you liked: American Gun(not as good), Fargo(better), Burn After Reading(about even), and Millions(not as good).
    helpful•18
    3
    • witster18
    • Jul 14, 2012

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Unrated Director's Cut?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 25, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • ATO Pictures (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Plan parfait
    • Filming locations
      • Greyhound Station - 166 University Ave W, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
    • Production companies
      • ATO Pictures
      • Werc Werk Works
      • Spare Room Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $790,421
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $183,527
      • Feb 19, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $790,421
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

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    Alan Arkin, Greg Kinnear, Michelle Arthur, Michael Paul Levin, Joe Minjares, David Harbour, Kathryn Lawrey, and Scott Crouch in The Convincer (2011)
    Top Gap
    By what name was The Convincer (2011) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
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