‘Iceman’: Profile of hit man never heats up

  • Robert Horton Herald Movie Critic
  • Wednesday, May 15, 2013 6:12pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

Like many a true-crime tale, the story of Richard Kuklinski sounds like it would make an incredible movie.

A mob-related contract killer, Kuklinski also murdered for the sheer sport of it; when he was arrested in 1986, his wife and children had no idea he’d been doing anything illegal. They thought he was a businessman.

“The Iceman,” a new film based on Kuklinski’s life, is further proof that not all true-crime tales make incredible movies. A dreary wallow in the mire, this one goes wrong almost from the start — save for the central piece of casting.

The picture is draped around the formidable shoulders of Michael Shannon, the Frankensteinian actor from “Take Shelter” and “Boardwalk Empire.”

Shannon carries with him the eerie focus of a man who could smite you down just for looking at him sideways, ideal for this role, though limiting for projects that don’t require the unsettling threat of immediate death.

Somehow this outwardly quiet maniac finds a wife (Winona Ryder, suitably fragile) and settles into small-town Jersey life while prospering as a hit man for a second-rate gangster (Ray Liotta).

As in every gangland saga, the etiquette of the mob world is as rigid as an imperial court, so when Kuklinski breaks protocol, he has to improvise to make ends meet.

This leads him to the practice of deep-freezing his victims so they can be held for future disposal, a specialty that earns him the “Iceman” nickname.

Scattered through this grisly scenario, which goes on for decades, are stock lowlifes played by actors who clearly cannot resist the chance to slap on a vintage ’70s mustache: Chris Evans, David Schwimmer, Stephen Dorff.

Everybody but James Franco, right?

Oh, wait, here he is. Ten-minute cameo as a sleazebag given an unusual opportunity by Kuklinski: As he splutters out prayers under the killer’s gun, Kuklinski promises to wait a few minutes in case God wants to intervene.

That episode is drawn directly from Kuklinski’s memories of his career. If director Ariel Vromen had stuck with a more documentary-style cruise through the man’s appalling life, perhaps “The Iceman” would’ve found an appropriately chilling groove.

Instead, we hear about Kuklinski’s abused childhood, and we even begin to root for him when the sleazy gangsters threaten his family (he makes a point of not greasing women and kids).

At some point he becomes like Billy Bob Thornton’s “Sling Blade” guy; Yes, maybe he’s a tad maladjusted, but surely we can understand his protectiveness of home and hearth?

All of which undercuts Michael Shannon’s undeniable strength in the part.

It does make one eager for his upcoming turn as Superman’s nemesis in “Man of Steel”: There’ll likely be little time wasted on exploring the psychological underpinnings of General Zod.

“The Iceman” (2 1/2 stars)

A mostly dreary wallow in gangland mire, about a real-life hit man named Richard Kuklinski, whose career was unknown to his wife and family. The movie’s main draw is the central performance by Michael Shannon, who physical presence and eerie focus makes you feel he’d really kill you if you looked at him sideways.

Rated: R for violence, language, subject matter.

Showing: Alderwood Mall, Meridian and Varsity theaters.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.