Movies

John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton lead an all-star cast in this hilarious and unpredictable thriller that critics are calling "very funny stuff" (Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper).

When lawyer Charlie (Cusack) and his partner Vic (Thornton) steal from a mob boss, they think they've pulled off the perfect crime. But when they race through a night filled with mayhem, lust and lethal surprises, they realize that the biggest risk they'll take will be trusting each other.

From the director of Analyze This and Groundhog Day, The Ice Harvest cracks with outrageous laughs and slippery twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.

I liked John Cusack's character (Charlie). He is a mob boss's lawyer, so he has probably worked a few too many hours, which has caused at least one woman to walk out of his life. He is just not happy with his station in life; something needs to change. He tells a story about how his father always played by the rules and respected the law. He wanted his son to grow up a lawyer and protect those same rules he held so dear. And we can imagine that working within the confines of those rules to assist a man who does bad things is as close as Charlie has come rebelling or acting out. The character really allowed Cusack to get back to the type of acting that makes me like him so much. He is a nicer guy than he tries to let on. He is on edge, angry about something that may have never happened. And he is impatient. It was refreshing to see old Cusack in a new role.

Billy Bob Thornton (Vic), as far as I am concerned, was just another actor in this movie. I probably shouldn't admit that I am generally a fan of his work. I like his personality and the quirks he brings to his work. (There, I said it.) There wasn't much depth to Vic. Putting Thornton in the movie helped impress people with the names associated with the project I am sure, but I think he was underutilized.

I never thought I would say that the highlight of any movie I had seen was the performance delivered by Oliver Platt. I mean no disrespect to Mr. Platt, but in what few roles I have seen him in, he has not played any characters that have left a positive impression on me...until now. His character Pete, the drunk, unhappy architect, brought some much needed comedy to The Ice Harvest. He had what may be seen as the easy job of delivering the best lines in the movie, but I think he brought a lot to those lines and did a great job.

As for the movie itself, I think it was good for the performances by Cusack and Platt. It was in the theaters so long ago that I was able to let go of the expectations that once had been for a great movie. I did not love the movie, but I am glad I was able to watch it somewhat objectively and enjoy it for what it was and not see it through let-down eyes. It took a few weird (maybe even unnecessary) twists to eventually lead up to the ending, but the ending was great.

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