Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Organnall Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

seymourblack-1 Probably because its style is so low-key, "The Ice Harvest" is one of those movies that doesn't arrive with any high expectations and so makes a big impact when you discover how good it actually is. Its plot about the complications that set in after a seemingly perfectly-executed heist, doesn't sound particularly original (and of course it isn't) but a group of totally untrustworthy characters, a series of neat twists and plenty of dark humour combine together to make this a movie that's hugely enjoyable from start to finish.On Christmas Eve in Wichita, Kansas, mob lawyer Charlie Arglist (John Cusack) and his partner-in-crime Vic Cavanaugh (Billy Bob Thornton) successfully relieve their employer of more than $2 million. Unfortunately, their employer is Kansas City crime boss Bill Guerrard (Randy Quaid) who very quickly recognises who was responsible for the theft and dispatches one of his henchmen, Roy Gelles (Mike Starr) to hunt them down. Charlie and Vic's plan to get out of Kansas immediately after the heist has to be put on hold when an ice storm suddenly envelops Wichita and the two men decide to split up until the road conditions improve.Charlie goes to a strip club called "The Sweet Cage" where he meets up with its sexy proprietor, Renata Crest (Connie Neilsen). He's infatuated by her and so when she tells him she wants to recover a photograph of a local councilman pictured in circumstances that could potentially cause him tremendous embarrassment, Charlie agrees to help out. He gets anxious when he twice sees a large man making enquiries about him and so, after recovering the photograph for Renata, goes to a restaurant to warn Vic who seems completely unconcerned. As he starts to leave the restaurant, a member of staff asks Charlie to take his friend Pete (Oliver Platt) home because he's extremely drunk.Pete is married to Charlie's ex-wife and so taking him home leads to an uncomfortable meeting with her, his children and her parents. Later, he takes the photograph to Renata at her club but then has to go on to help Vic when he finally recognises what danger he's in. A whole series of violent developments then follow.Charlie Arglist is an interesting character because his experiences in life have left him world-weary, disillusioned and cynical but despite this, his essential decency leads him into helping others, even when doing so is obviously not in his own best interest. John Cusack's expressions, demeanour and skill in delivering his witty dialogue are very effective in conveying his character's complexities in a way that's both understated and highly entertaining. Billy Bob Thornton and Connie Neilsen are both well-cast in their roles and Oliver Platt is outrageously funny as Charlie's friend who enjoys intoxication because it distracts him from the lack of respect and enjoyment that he derives from the rest of his life."The Ice Harvest" is well-paced, sleazy and often violent but its strongest elements are its interesting characters and its wonderful humour.

Rodrigo Amaro Harold Ramis ("Groundhog Day") directing an dark humor film written by Richard Russo and Robert Benton ("Kramer vs. Kramer"), starring John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton? Really? "The Ice Harvest" sounds like an unusual gathering of talents but it perfectly works. The movie starts with Cusack's character, Charlie, an lawyer committing the perfect crime stealing millions of dollar along with his partner Vic (Thornton) during Christmas Eve. But for some reason they can't leave town to avoid people's suspicion, since everybody knows them, so they decide to stay in Wichita until things get easier for them to get out. Until such thing happen, Charlie will have to deal with an bizarre amount of problems such as follow along a drunk friend (hilariously played by Oliver Platt) who keep causing more and more trouble in all the places they go; help an old flame of his (Connie Nielsen), who's having some problems with an politician; smile to an persistent and annoying cop every time he appears on his front, suspicion of everything he does; and running away from a hit-man (Mike Starr) who's looking for him and Vic.Basically, it's a movie with Cusack trying to solve problems before putting his hands on the money and get out of Wichita. Until there, there's plenty room for funny and twisted moments, some dangerous as well and the repetitive "As Wichita falls so falls Wichita falls" quote, whatever that means. It seems at times the film is going nowhere with some humored situations here and there but when it moves to an darker film it gets really fun to watch. Best parts includes all the scenes Oliver Platt's in (specially seeing him being dragged out of the bar, or when he presents Charlie as being an Mafia lawyer, trying to threat an guy who was bothering him: "M.O.B. Mob!") and Billy Bob furious attack to the trunk where he put the hit-man trying to making him quiet (that was hysterical!). And this couldn't go on without Ned Bellamy playing Sidney the nervous bar patron, friend of Charlie, and his rants, threatening to break people's fingers when they mess with his girls. Not the perfect script but who cares? It's just fun and fun again and well made by the way. Simply one of the best Christmas films I've ever seen. 9/10

ctomvelu1 Those looking for another "Grosse Pointe Blank" may be disappointed. This straightforward film noir stars Cusack as a slightly slow-on-the-uptake lawyer who with a partner (Thornton) makes off with $2 million in ill-gotten gains. Only they can't seem to get very far with it. Nielsen plays a classic femme fatale, the incredibly sexy but scheming owner of a nightclub who professes to love Cusack's nebbishy lawyer and claims to be ready to make off with him and the loot. She plays the part in a very similar manner to Kathleen Turner's femme fatale in "Body Heat," which I believe was intentional. You will not however find much dark comedy here, although there is the occasional comedic line. The film apparently proved lackluster at the box office, and I believe this is because folks were looking for another black comedy like "Grosse Pointe Blank," which for my money is Cusack's all-time masterpiece. Cusack and Nielsen are fine, but there's not much to root for here. And what transpires is fairly predictable. Watch for Randy Quaid as one of the bad guys and Oliver Platt as Cusack's drunken best friend.

Samiam3 It is wrong to label The Ice Harvest as a Comedy, maybe that is what the studio wanted it to be. It has its funny bits, but The Ice Harvest is more of a neo-noir. Either way, it's watchable but not that enriching.There is nothing original or clever about this story, except for the paradox of the setting. The Ice Harvest is a cold, dark tale set during the most bright and jolly of times. Of course I am talking about Christmas. It is sort of difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes The Ice Harvest watchable when considering that the whole thing is pretty dull. Perhaps it is the fact that just occasionally the story does something random and amusing, but it never amounts to much.There is a certain dose of Fargo to the movie. When it begins in Witchita, Kansas on Chrismas Eve, locally renowned lawyer Charlie Arglist and his partner have stolen two and a half million dollars. Now it is just a matter of being patient for a few hours as they figure out how to blow town. In the middle of this is the archetypal 'femme fatale' played by Connie Neilson as the owner of a strip club who wants something from Charlie. I think The Ice Harvest acknowledges that it is derivative, which is why it tries to be amusing every now and then, but It is not half as funny as it should be. If you want a good crime movie with a better sense of humour, try Bandits.