The Ice Harvest

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The Ice Harvest

42% Liked It
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The Ice Harvest

Billy Bob Thornton, Connie Nielsen, Diane Frances Fisher, Jenny Wade, John Cusack

It's Christmas Eve in rainy, icebound Wichita, Kansas, and this year Charlie Arglist just might have something to celebrate. Charlie, an attorney for the sleazy businesses of Wichita, and his unsavory...( read more  read more... ) associate, the steely Vic Cavenaugh, have just successfully embezzled $2,147,000 from Kansas City boss Bill Guerrard. Even so, the real prize for Charlie would be the stunning Renata, who runs the Sweet Cage strip club. Charlie's fondest Christmas wish is to slip out of town with Renata. But, as daylight fades and a storm whirls, everyone from Charlie's drinking buddy Pete Van Heuten to the local police begin to wonder just what exactly is in Charlie's Christmas stocking. For Charlie, the 12 hours of Christmas Eve are filled with nonstop twists and turns, both on the ice and off.

Id: 10857510

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The Ice Harvest Recent Reviews
  • ironclad1609
    December 25, 2008
    ironclad1609
    Decent thriller comedy about two crooks trying to get away with a huge sum of money on the night of Christmas while they gotta keep their feet still for a night of ice rain. What starts somewhat confusing as a tour through strip clubs, bars and apartments gets better in the seco...( read more)nd half when there is more crime and murder. Although the showdown suffers from a villain who has not yet appeared in the film and is not exactly unpredictable, the solution is still somewhat satisfying, mostly thanks to John Cusack. No must see but an entertaining piece for fans of "Fargo" or similar films.
  • bradwest
    October 18, 2008
    bradwest
    I really enjoyed this although it didn't do that well at the box office. Kind of a slow burn noir with Cusack's patented laid back characterization and Oliver Platt thrown in for good measure.
  • PvtCaboose91
    July 31, 2008
    PvtCaboose91
    "Christmas Eve. Ho ho fucking ho!"


    At its heart, The Ice Harvest is a contemporary film noir, and a brutal thriller with splashes of black humour throughout. Director Harold Ramis is perhaps best remembered for the bespectacled nerd in Ghostbusters. Ram

    ...( read more)is made more of an impression as a director when he helmed such films as Groundhog Day and Analyze This. The director adopts a completely different approach with The Ice Harvest. Instead of light-hearted fun, this film appears to be a dark comedy reminiscent of a Coen Brothers creation (like Fargo). The initial two thirds of the film are overflowing with humorous moments, but the final act is frankly something from the classic film noir genre. Love, betrayal, and murder...all the elements are present.

    The Ice Harvest appears to be struggling in its attempt to marry the genres of dark comedy and a thriller. There are several notable moments of ingenious humour for sure that'll keep one entertained. But the dialogue isn't as adequately snappy as we've previously witnessed in a Coen Brothers production or similar films. There are various other script flaws to be pointed out, like the senseless violence and the indescribable stupidity at times, but at least you're guaranteed to find yourself entertained and having loads of fun.

    In the ice-covered terrain of Wichita, Kansas, it's Christmas Eve. Charlie Arglist (Cusack) is an attorney for the sleazy businessman in Wichita. He and his unsavoury partner Vic Cavanaugh (Thornton) successfully embezzle over $2 million from notorious Kansas City gangster Bill Guerrard (Quaid). It seems like the perfect crime, however both Charlie and Vic are stuck in Wichita until the instigation of their plan to escape town the next morning. The trouble is that with torrential rain and other inconvenient weather conditions, they're stuck in town until further notice. Even worse is that Charlie and Vic must leave town before Guerrard finds out about the massive embezzlement.
    Charlie soon becomes interested in Renata (Nielsen) who runs a strip club. He pleads Renata to depart town and run away with him, but she'll only flee with him if she sees the money and is guaranteed of wealth. However, Vic has the money hidden...and Vic isn't the most trustworthy of individuals. This night before Christmas becomes filled with non-stop twists, turns and eccentric characters.

    The creative team involved with The Ice Harvest is an aspect that fuelled my interest. With talented director Ramis and a great cast including John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton among many others, it's hard to imagine a faulty product. The cast certainly carry the film skilfully. John Cusack exudes a low-key charm. As always, he's a pleasure to watch and is capable of delivering snappy dialogue. Billy Bob Thornton emanates a discreet sliminess. At times he's very sinister and solemn, but he's still frequently very funny. Thornton elevates the mediocre script. Unfortunately he's relatively underutilised and his fans may be dissatisfied at his diminutive quantity of screen-time. Oliver Platt is also worth mentioning. Platt is hilarious as a character that's recurrently drunk and foul-mouthed. It's arduous not to laugh at his mannerisms.

    The script and story of The Ice Harvest is above average. The story is original and the script compliments this with a distinct style of black humour. The grandest form of black humour is when it's possible to chuckle at awkward situations. You'll certainly uncover plenty of those moments. The cast deliver the dialogue with straight faces and in all sincerity. That alone is worth a laugh! Other memorable laughs are simply provided by some inappropriately crude dialogue. In contrast, the script fails when the third act thrusts into action. Things become increasingly stupid, and the brutality of the proceedings is more shocking than amusing. Still, the film is at least a lot of fun.

    Overall, The Ice Harvest is a decent black comedy that is perceptibly inspired by Fargo or other films of the Coen Brothers. By no means is this a masterpiece, but it unquestionably entertains. The film is unfairly unobserved and underrated. Overlook the flaws as they're not too distracting, and you'll have a great time.
  • rebvodka042099
    July 6, 2008
    rebvodka042099
    Interesting...
  • DeppLover
    May 1, 2008
    DeppLover
    One of the best films I've seen in a while. From its original and funny story to its all-star cast of actors, I enjoyed this movie from start to finish.

    It basically follows Charlie [John Cusack] and his 'partner' Vic [Billy Bob], who together have successfully stolen over two...( read more) million dollars from Charlie's boss. But, as they say, there's no such thing as the perfect crime.

    I really enjoyed seeing two of my favourite actors together in this movie, and for once I got what I expected, it was fantastic with them together unlike some other movies I have seen lately that have had good actors in it.. but unfortunately it didn't work. It really did work in this one, and Connie Nielsen and Oliver Platt were nice additions to the cast as well.

    It has a nice twist at the end and a great way to finish off this great movie. I love it, for its humour, its story, its cast and its originality. You should really see this movie if you haven't already.
  • lovemyv10viper
    December 18, 2009
    lovemyv10viper
    try hard to be younger but its funny
  • 21rclemente
    December 7, 2009
    21rclemente
    Just not that memorble. Had cliimactic events that didn't fit syncronously with the average choatic crime flic.
  • ythelastman89
    November 23, 2009
    ythelastman89
    I actually found myself really enjoying this. While the script is only so-so, John Cusack just really made a tremendous effort and made it an above average comedy. It also has a very strong supporting cast including Billy Bob Thorton, Oliver Platt and Randy Quaid (go figure). It ...( read more)is relentless and extremely dark for a comedy, which makes it so refreshing.
  • DoctorXQuinzel
    October 22, 2009
    DoctorXQuinzel
    Meh, I really like John Cusack so that's the only reason I watch this film.
  • dljobes83
    October 8, 2009
    dljobes83
    A movie that was more entertaining then a I thought it would be
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