The Ice Harvest
Starring: John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Connie Nielsen, Randy Quaid, Oliver Platt
Directed by: Harold Ramis

Released in the US: November 23, 2005
Released in the UK: Unknown

Reviewed by: Adam Mast, ZBoneman.com

Ice Harvest is one of the true, undiscovered treasures of the holiday season. An edgy, often hilarious film noir piece written by Robert Benton and Richard Russo (Nobody’s Fool, Empire Falls), and directed by “of all people” Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day). With the underrated Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang also making the rounds, Ice Harvest emerges as the second film noir in the last month, but whereas the former is more of a playful homage to the style, the latter actually embodies the style in what could be best described as a combination of both old school noir (think "Big Sleep") and contemporary noir (think "Blood Simple").

Ice Harvest uses the bleak and burnished landscape of Wichita, Kansas as it’s setting and features John Cusack as Charlie Arglist, an attorney for the mob who decides it’s time to take a giant leap in a new direction. Of course this decision means pulling a fast one on the dangerous men he works for. He attempts this risky business with the assistance of an acquaintance and fellow schemer Vic Cavanaugh (played by Billy Bob Thornton). Vic is a man of means who makes his living from the more shady side of Wichita commerce. The caper is carried off within the first few minutes of the film, thus setting off a chain reaction of unpredictable events, and unforseen complications which make it increasingly difficult for the two to simply leave town with the money.

Ice Harvest isn’t exactly the comedy the trailers make it out to be. Don’t get me wrong, it does offer up some of the funniest stuff and hardest laughs of the year, particularly when the film revolves around Oliver Platt’s Peter Van Heuten. Peter is a rich architect and heavy drinker who has some amusingly complicated ties to Charlie. Mostly, the humor in Ice Harvest is of the dark variety. This is black comedy, and as such to fully enjoy it you have to be ready to roll with some mean-spirited stuff - but once you’re beyond that, the rewards are endless and laughs plentiful.

John Cusack is perfectly deadpan in a role that recalls his work in the exceptional Grifters. He exhibits an outstanding sense of timing, as he reacts to the various events that serve to unravel his perfect crime. It’s as though he planned the caper's clean break, without factoring in the many loose ends that might entagle him as he attempts fo make good his escape from Wichita. Billy Bob Thornton is everything one might expect. His Vic is the ultimate loose cannon/psychotic, capable of just about any kind of nasty behavior. When he’s on screen, you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen - thus when something outrageous occurs, you’re not terribly surprised. Connie Nielsen turns in an outstanding performance as the stripper of Charlie’s affection. She has a glamorous, old school movie star look and presence that recalls Lauren Bacall; She plays the treacherous temptress to a tee - reminding the Boneman of Kathleen Turner’s sultry debut in Body Heat. There’s also a terrifically entertaining walk-on cameo by Randy Quaid who proves to be a surprisingly menacing presence.

For me though, Oliver Platt steals the show as the hapless Peter Van Heuten. He just flat-out goes for it in what has to be among the most inspired drunken performances of all time. Mixing the broadest of comic strokes, with those “truth serum” moments of confession, Platt is an absolute scream. Perhaps the funniest sequence in the picture involves a Christmas dinner gone horribly wrong as Peter lets his bitterness get the better of him and causes a scene in the presence of his frigid wife’s mother and father. It’s a mean spirited bit to be sure, but the cast’s timing is impeccable and the whole scenario is simply hysterical

The screenplay by Pulitzer winning author Richard Russo and long-time partner Robert Benton is extremely smart and stylish - fusing the subtlety of old school noir with the gritty attitude of contemporary noir. Ice Harvest is chalk full of unpredictable bursts of violence that would make Quentin Tarantino proud. I loved every second of it, right down to the unexpected, offbeat ending. Not only was I surprised by who made it through this gauntlet of violence and deception, but I loved how they made their get away. Talk about ironic.

Dare I say this is the best work of Harold Ramis’ lengthy career, and a major departure at that. Had I not known going in that Ramis directed this movie, I never would have believed it. Quite obviously, this film maker is known for his comedies, and while there cetainly are laughs here, Ice Harvest is more of an exercise in character and style. It’s clear that Ramis wanted to try something different, and he’s managed it with remarkable results. Ice Harvest is extremely edgy (it’s certainly a film for adults) and wears it’s R rating proudly on it’s sleeve, but hey, a good movie is a good movie. The rating is irrelevant. Ramis has fashioned an extremely entertaining film noir, rich with humor, style (take notice of the gorgeous lighting and outstanding cinematography) and engaging, well developed characters.

Every couple of years we are treated to an unconventional holiday film. The Ref is a perfect example and so is War of the Roses. Add Ice Harvest to the list. This film isn’t exactly brimming with yule tide cheer, but it is an expertly crafted gem that deserves to be recognized. I haven't seen Kong yet, but among all of the really good films that are out right now, Ice Harvest is my favorite. I was really stunned by how immensely enjoyable it was.

Grade: A-