The Iceman (2012)

	Director: Ariel Vromen	COUNTRY USA GENRE Biography/Crime/Drama NORWEGIAN TITLE The Iceman RUNNING TIME 105 minutes
	Producer: Ariel Vromen Ehud Bleiberg Avi Lerner
	Screenwriter (based on a book by Philip Carlo): Ariel Vromen Morgan Land

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Richard Kuklinski	Michael Shannon
Deborah Kuklinski	Winona Ryder	½
Robert Mr. Freezy Pronge	Chris Evans	½
Roy DeMeo	Ray Liotta	½
Marty Freeman	James Franco	-
Josh Rosenthal	David Schwimmer
Joseph Kuklinski	Stephen Dorff
Ellen	Erin Cummings	-
Leonard Marks	Robert Davi
Livi	Weronika Rosati	-
Mickey Stroll	John Ventimiglia	-

Review

Strong acting elevates this story about the life and times of real-life killer Richard Kuklinski, who supposedly worked as a hitman for the mafia. Michael Shannon's driven, emotionally constrained lead perfomance helps to keep focus away from a somewhat too familiar plot structure and a rather careless handling of the truth in what starts out as a fascinating psychological drama before ultimately moving into stock gangster territory. The filmmakers capture the 1960s and 1970s well with crisp shots and set decorations, but writer/director Ariel Vromen isn't quite able to give his movie distinction and a clear direction. Winona Ryder, Ray Liotta and Robart Davi are all fine in somewhat underdeveloped supporting roles.