THE ICEMAN (2012)

Directed By: Ariel Vromen 
Written By: Morgan Land & Ariel Vromen 
Based on the book: "The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer" by Anthony Bruno and the documentary "The Iceman Tapes: Conversations with a Killer” By James Thebaut Cinematography By: Bobby Bukowski 
Editor: Danny Rafic 

 Cast: Michael Shannon, Ray Liotta, Chris Evans, Winona Ryder, David Schwimmer, James Franco, Stephen Dorff, Robert Davi, John Ventimiglia

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.

Before I saw this film I was familiar with the man the film is about. I watched the documentaries from the 90's on HBO where he was interviewed and told his stories and made his confessions it was chilling. The sad part is that for how chilling the documentaries were. The film never comes close in mood nor tone.

While in prison, Richard Kulinski claimed to be responsible along with four other men for the kidnap and murder of former Teamsters union boss Jimmy Hoffa on July 30 1975 in a restaurant parking lot in Detroit. The five-man team were allegedly given the contract on Hoffa by Tony Provenzano, a captain in the Genovese crime family. Kuklinski claimed to have been paid $40,000 for the hit. Kuklinski said that he knocked Hoffa unconscious with a blackjack and, while holding Hoffa's chin up, thrust a hunting knife into the back of his head. Hoffa's body was then allegedly placed in the trunk of a car that was then crushed and sold as scrap metal to Japanese car makers. The claims only surfaced after Kuklinski's death in March 2006 in a book by author Philip Carlo and will probably never be substantiated.

Don't get me wrong the film isn't bad it's just I guess like America's most wanted it's informative and the dramatizations help put a picture on the crimes. Yet you know the reality is more horrific. Scarier since you know this isn't the product of someone's imagination.

I don't like to compare films, but this film reminded me of Kill the Irishman which was also based in a true tale and had a surprisingly big cast I recognizable actors in small or supporting roles. The difference is that, that film felt too episodic and jumpy more like a regular tale taken to comic book like lengths to build up the main character as a hero. Though low budgeted it would be bigger and more grand. Here I applaud this film because of it's More steady and focused direction. I just wish the film felt a bit more grand to make it a by more exciting.

Michael Shannon in the lead is good, it doesn't feel like a stretch of a role for him. His character is inexpressive and we get flashbacks to get a glimpse of why how is the way he is. We also get to meet his brother who is so demented we are left to figure it runs in the family. Though the film appeals us with his actions as he is out protagonist. The audience can't help but feel for him as we follow him.

I remember there were rival projects to tell this story with Channing Tatum and/Or Mickey Rourke Supposedly attached and playing the title role.

It was never made clear whether the man who calls himself his best friend knew he was setting him up or was just as fooled as he was. As that character also seems to only pop up when the films needs him to. No other real reason. I just wonder if he was an amalgam of various characters in real life made to be simpler.

I have to say the supporting cast is surprising and good. Especially David Schwimmer In a role I never would have pegged for him and Ray Liotta doing what he does best as a local mob boss. it's also nice to see Winona Ryder back on the big screen.

James Franco and Benicio Del Toro were originally cast in the lead roles. Franco was replaced by Chris Evans and Del Toro was replaced by Ray Liotta.

Maggie Gyllenhaal was cast as Deborah Kuklinski, but dropped out due to pregnancy. She was replaced by Winona Ryder.

Chris Evans turns up in a supporting role he also changes his look to be bare recognizable. He is shockingly good and believable here more working against his leading man looks and trying to be more of a character and succeeding.

His project must have some major clout for having such a prestige cast and even having James Franco in the film for more of a cameo than anything else. It would have been maybe Interesting to have him and David Schwimmer switch roles. Before production began, director Ariel Vromen shot a test scene with Michael Shannon as Richard Kuklinski and Michael Wincott as Robert Pronge. Shannon kept his role in the feature version, while Chris Evans was cast as Robert Pronge.

I Give the film a bunch of credit for what it managed to accomplish with a low budget and limits. It manages to tell a tale over decades never overstuffed and remarkably never boring. Just like the main character though there is a feeling of it truly never letting you in an getting to know too much.

I don't know whether to give the film credit or Michael Shannon because in the last act of the film. Where we are on pins and needles. We actually feel sympathy for his Character which considering how much of a monster we have seen him be is an achievement

 Grade: B-