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Self-consciously mordant in the best neo-noir tradition, The Ice Harvest sports impeccable performances by its three stars and teems with the world-weary fatalism audiences expect from films of this type. On Christmas Eve in Wichita, Kansas, amiably crooked attorney Charlie Arglist (John Cusack) conspires with his low-life associate Vic Cavanaugh (Billy Bob Thornton) to cheat the local mob out of some ill-gained profits. Charlie’s hoping that a sudden cash infusion will make him more attractive to strip-club owner Renata (Connie Nielsen), with whom he’s been infatuated for some time. As might be expected, the supposedly airtight plan turns out to be riddled with holes -- and Charlie and Vic also begin thinking about double-crossing each other almost instantly. While the characters are types, writers Richard Russo and Robert Benton freshen them up with eccentricities and clever dialogue. Previously teamed in Pushing Tin, Cusack and Thornton work extraordinarily well together, and the customarily frosty Neilsen makes a perfect femme fatale. Veteran scene-stealer Oliver Platt gets some of the biggest laughs as Charlie's inebriated friend Pete. Although there’s never much doubt as to how things are going to end up, director Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day) does a fine job depicting the script's more novel situations. Why The Ice Harvest didn’t make more of an impact in theaters is a mystery, because it’s one of the most genuinely engaging black comedies in years. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Two men on the run from the mob end up negotiating more than their share of obstacles along the way in this comedy drama from director Harold Ramis. Vic Cavanaugh (Billy Bob Thornton) and Charlie Arglist (John Cusack) are a pair of friends who work for Bill Gerard (Randy Quaid), a mobster with his finger in a number of illegal businesses. Vic runs a pornography distribution outfit for Bill, while Charlie is a lawyer who keeps Bill and his partners out of jail, and between them, Vic and Charlie have stolen over two million dollars in cash from Bill. On Christmas Eve, Vic and Charlie plan to make off with their money and escape Bill's clutches once and for all, but while Vic stays cool and collected, an increasingly nervous Charlie stops off at a topless bar to fortify his courage with a few drinks, and ends up causing a scene with Renata (Connie Nielsen), a dancer he's long had his eye on. It doesn't take long for word about Charlie to get back to Bill, who sends an enforcer out to track him down, but while Charlie tries to make tracks, he ends up having to look after his friend Pete (Oliver Platt), who is much more drunk than Charlie and even more inclined to make a nuisance of himself. The Ice Harvest was adapted from the novel by Scott Philips. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 025192033605
• Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 1:28:00
• Sales Rank: 41,060