The Iceman, 2012.
Directed by Ariel Vromen.
Starring Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Chris Evans, Ray Liotta, David Schwimmer, Robert Davi, James Franco and Stephen Dorff.
SYNOPSIS:
Michael Shannon is The Iceman, one of organised crimes most notorious hitmen. The events of his life are recalled in this slick crime drama.
At a preview screening of The Iceman, a member of the cinema came out to talk to the audience about Michael Shannon, who would later be involved in a Q&A. He had a theory that when actors received the final cast sheet for a film and saw that they would be working with Michael Shannon, they soiled themselves like a six month old, because of Shannon’s incredible talent and presence. If that wasn’t the case before, it will be now. Shannon is simply incredible.
The Iceman tells the true story of the life of Richard Kuklinski (Shannon), a Polish immigrant living in New York. Kuklinksi’s life was rather bland, until a run in with Roy Demeo (Ray Liotta), an associate of the Gambino crime family. After this chance meeting Kuklinski was hired as a contract killer, destined to become organised crime’s most notorious hitman, with reportedly over 100 hits. Kuklinski is a man of much depth and intensity, so Shannon is naturally the perfect choice for the role. We’ve seen Shannon’s intensity before in roles such as Take Shelter and My Son, My Son, What Ye Done. We’ve seen also the subtlety and power of his performances that he can bring to minor roles such as in Revolutionary Road, but here as The Iceman Shannon excels. Kuklinski leads a double life; on the one hand he is devoted family man, quiet and unassuming, and on the other he is a rage filled lunatic, who yet remains a calm and clinical killer. A dichotomy of personalities only Shannon could pull off.
The film itself is extremely well put together, and what is most admirable is it respects the audience by not spoon feeding them information; you have to be paying attention to understand what is going on. The script moves through decades at the speed the audience can move through its popcorn, yet Ariel Vromen chooses not to burden you with time stamps across the screen, instead the wonderful costume and set designs and makeup effects that are given to Michael Shannon are the indicators of the passage of time. Shannon’s performance also becomes more tense as the years progress – you really feel the strain Kuklinski felt at times, and how the years affected him.
In support Shannon is joined by Winona Ryder as Deborah, Kuklinski’s wife, and whilst it isn’t a bad performance, there’s a noticeable difference in screen presence between the on screen husband and wife. Ray Liotta as Demeo is so accustomed to mafia roles now that he could do it in his sleep, and he’s always a joy to watch. In quite a terrible piece of casting, David Schwimmer can never really be taken seriously as a member of the Demeo crew. The character himself is meant to be weak, however the casting felt off and didn’t quite work. For those not paying attention, they may not know that Chris Evans is in this film, as a new perm hair job and giant tache conceals his identity behind a great supporting performance. He won’t win any Oscars I would imagine, but if there’s one for greatest disco dance, he’s the clear favourite.
The Iceman is not the greatest gangster film of all time, but it absolutely has one of the finest performances in memory, is tense and entertaining, and a must watch.
Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★ ★ ★
Martin Deer
Originally published June 7, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
