Michael Shannon offers steely power in ‘The Iceman,’ a real-life horror tale

Although The Iceman appears to be a cinematic mafia thriller, it’s actually a real-life horror story. It may be missing the genre staples like a guy in a mask, chilling piano music, shadows in the night and “don’t-go-in-there” moments, but this serial killer tale induces just as many spine-tingling moments as those monster flicks. What makes The Iceman so scary is that Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon) was a real person, and the stories found within this film are based on true events.

Many families in northern New Jersey know the legendary status of the Iceman story. He didn’t terrorize suburbia because many of his murders were accomplished behind closed doors. The revelation after his arrest was less “Thank God they caught him” and more “I can’t believe this man lived among us.”

In the movie, Shannon offers a believable performance of the central, towering figure. He has a steely gaze, barely showing emotion on his placid face and letting words roll out from his closed lips. His connection to the criminal world, according to the movie, was gradual in nature. He worked on the technical side of the pornography business, putting together reels of film. From these early roots, which he never fully shared with his wife Deborah (Winona Ryder), Kuklinski began his associations with organized crime members. His first boss, according to the movie, was Roy Demeo (Ray Liotta) who essentially hired the suburban father as a hit man. In the movie, the title character’s ultimate test was whether he could kill a homeless man.

Kuklinski eventually became a killing machine: Pay, kill, pay, kill. When the police finally descended on his house, the so-called Iceman had dispatched more than 100 people. His prison interviews became famous documentaries on HBO, and the uneasiness of the suburbia he populated never subsided. He was a hidden monster amid normality.

The movie, directed by Ariel Vromen, tries to humanize the man behind the trail of death. The script, written by Morgan Land and Vromen, showcases Kuklinski as a troubled person who was dedicated to his wife and children. We’re led to believe he killed these people for the money, simply to give his family a life they deserved.

After spending 106 minutes with Shannon’s Kuklinski, there’s not enough evidence presented that he was the consummate family man. The portrait that comes through is far more complicated.

He killed people. He loved his family. These don’t fit nicely into a jigsaw puzzle. What drove this man to take such heinous actions? After all, wasn’t it possible to get a normal job? The answers to these questions are largely missing from the narrative. We see how the Iceman’s criminality eventually leads to his falling out with Roy and ultimate arrest. But the specifics are treated like a newspaper account: just the facts, with very little time to take a breath and digest the enormity of these actions.

The acting is effective, especially from Shannon, Ryder and Liotta. Shannon doesn’t exactly look like Kuklinski, but he uses method acting techniques to lose himself in the role. It’s uncomfortable watching this uncomfortable character. He’s out of control and wholly unpredictable. He goes from kissing his wife to lashing out with ferocity. There seems to be no reasoning behind his actions.

Ryder gives perhaps her best performance of all time. She’s not simply playing the “wife” role, the woman sitting at home unknowing of what is happening around her. Her Deborah character is much more interesting, layered with questions and second guessing. Liotta is also quite enjoyable as an organized crime leader. He’s ruthless and efficient, refusing to let his reputation drop from the top spot. Chris Evans also turns up as an associate of the Iceman’s. The Captain America actor is completely unrecognizable in the role, a credit to the makeup job and his acting performance.

The Iceman, a real-life horror story, is a solid film that only trips up when trying to say something beyond the chapter headings of Kuklinski’s unusual and scary tale. It makes for a terrifying monster movie.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• The Iceman

• 2013

• Directed by Ariel Vromen

• Written by Vromen and Morgan Land; based on the book by Anthony Bruno and documentary by Jim Thebaut

• Starring Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Chris Evans and Ray Liotta

• Running time: 106 minutes

• Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language and some sexual content

• Rating: