Biographical movies have always provided entertainment to
film going fans for years. At the same time more often than not their
portrayals of those their stories are about rarely reflects the reality of the
person. While this is the case with the new release THE ICEMAN perhaps it's
best to write about it as a film rather than history. That being said, this is
a dynamite crime drama for fans of the genre.
Michael Shannon stars as Richard "Richie"
Kuklinski, a low level criminal making film copies of porno flicks back in the
60s whose life changes when he meets Roy Demeo (Ray Liotta). Married with one
child, Kuklinski's lack of fear in the face of a danger makes Demeo consider
him a possibility for an enforcer's position. When he has Richie kill a bum
just to show him he can kill without conscience, the position becomes his.
What follows is three decades of Richie doing what he's best
at which is killing people. When Demeo has someone who needs to be reminded to
pay his debts, he sends Richie. If they don't follow through, Richie returns
and the problem is erased. Soon people have good reason to make sure they pay
on time.
While doing one hit for Demeo, Richie runs into "Mr.
Freezy" (Chris Evans), another hit man so named because he also drives an
ice cream truck from neighborhood to neighborhood. Not only does this make for
a great cover but the freezer inside the truck is a convenient place to store a
dead body.
As the story progresses problems come up and Demeo tells Richie
to take a break, stop killing people and not to take any work on the side. With
bills piling up Richie finds himself forced to break that promise, contacts Mr.
Freezy and the duo begin piling up bodies and cash for contracts.
When Demeo discovers this he threatens Richie and things
begin to unwind for the hired gun. A combination of paranoia, real threats and
a violent rage fueled temper that Richie always tries to keep in check will not
result in anything positive. But just what happens and who it happens to is yet
to be seen.
Michael Shannon has become a force to behold in films these
days. It's not just his physical presence that exudes danger here but the
performance offers a depth of character movies like this usually don't possess.
Liotta seems to have calmed down in recent films as he does here but one can't
help but see the same intensity in Shannon that Liotta once brought to similar
roles. Winona Ryder, long missing from movies, turns in a great performance as
well as Deborah, Richie's wife and true love.
What is depicted here is the tale of a man who wants what's
best for his family, to provide for them as much as possible and who is willing
to do anything to insure that their every dream is fulfilled. The movie
presents Kuklinski as a sympathetic character that we wish could find an escape
from the world he has chosen to be with his family. Unfortunately that wasn't
the reality of the Richard Kuklinski. The movie may make for a great story and
well made film, but it does so by changing most of the true story into
something else.
While an afterward mentions that Kuklinski is estimated to
have killed 100 people before the ending presented here it rarely discusses his
victims. I could be wrong but I also don't think most of us would decide that
the best way to provide for our families would be to begin killing people which
here is presented as Kuklinski's best option. More changes between his real
story as told in the book THE ICEMAN: THE TRUE STORY OF A COLD BLOODED KILL by
Anthony Bruno and what we're presented with here are best left to those
interested in the book. If all you see is the film you will be entertained. But
the real story is just as interesting.
Click here to order.
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