Thin Ice Blu-ray Review

"Thin Ice" offers an impressive 1080p/AVC-encoded Blu-ray transfer that captures the film's cold, wintry environment with precision. Filmed in 2.35:1 aspect ratio on 35mm, the presentation upholds the integrity of the original material, displaying a sufficiently clean and compression-free image. The natural grain structure persists unobtrusively throughout, avoiding heavy-handed digital noise reduction (DNR) or edge enhancement, although some analog noise is noticeable in darker scenes. The accuracy of the color palette is commendable, featuring a spectrum dominated by blues and grays that evoke a chilling atmosphere, contrasted by deep blacks and well-managed white levels. Shadows are delineated with clarity, further enhancing the visual depth.

Facial and texture details are particularly noteworthy—the pores on actors' faces and the worn textures of props such as violins are sharply rendered. This Blu-ray release may not be the sharpest or most eye-catching in today's market, but it delivers high-definition detail where it counts, particularly in facial features, clothing textures, and production design elements. Despite its low-budget indie roots, the film's video quality sustains an engaging visual narrative without succumbing to typical digital artifacts that often mar such releases.

While "Thin Ice" doesn't achieve the sharpness or glossiness of high-budget Hollywood productions, it stands as a testament to effective Blu-ray transfers for smaller-scale films. The icy cinematography brings out an atmospheric chill inherent to the film's narrative, encapsulating viewers in its frosty visual embrace. The Blu-ray presentation serves the film well, balancing technical acuity with faithful representation of the filmmaker's intent.

The Blu-ray of "Thin Ice" features a commendable DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for both versions of the film. The audio mix excels in presenting dialogue with remarkable clarity and accuracy, ensuring conversations remain cleanly recorded and easily understandable at the top of the mix. Though the rear speakers aren’t heavily utilized, they effectively convey the subtle wintry ambience, casino noises, and the acoustics of the Chicago train station, enriching the overall listening experience.

Regarding the film’s scores, there is a notable distinction between the two versions. Jeff Danna's score, accompanying the theatrical cut, delivers a standard comic hijinks fare that feels somewhat clichéd. In contrast, Alex Wurman’s original score for the alternate cut offers a more nuanced blend of banjo, piano, drums, and upright bass, which aligns well with the film’s noir elements. Both scores are well-mixed and bleed through the sound field to provide a moderately immersive auditory experience, though neither track astounds with complexity.

In sum, while the audio presentation isn't packed with dramatic effects or particularly immersive moments, it effectively supports the film’s atmosphere and narrative. Dialogue remains consistently clear and well-balanced against the subtly engaging background sounds. Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles in easy-to-read white lettering are also available for those who may need or prefer them.

The Blu-ray edition of "Thin Ice" includes a commendable array of bonus content, enhancing the viewer’s understanding and appreciation of the film. The highlight is the in-depth "Behind the Scenes of Thin Ice," offering valuable insights through on-set footage and interviews with key cast members and filmmakers, although it notably omits discussions on the studio re-cut. The "Sundance Premiere Featurette" provides a brief yet engaging look at the film's debut at The Egyptian Theater, featuring appearances from the director and cast. Additionally, the disc includes "Deleted Scenes," which provide alternative glimpses into the narrative, though their relevance varies depending on the film cut viewed.

Extras included in this disc:

• Behind the Scenes of Thin Ice: Features interviews and on-set footage with cast and filmmakers.
• Sundance Premiere Featurette: Director and cast present at the film's Sundance premiere.
• Deleted Scenes: Various scenes not in the final cut, some appearing in different forms.

"Thin Ice," directed by Jill Sprecher and written with her sister Karen, attempts a dark comedy reminiscent of the Coen brothers, focusing on Mickey Prohaska (Greg Kinnear), a Wisconsin insurance salesman embroiled in a convoluted heist. Set against a snowy Midwestern backdrop, Mickey’s life spirals out of control when he seeks to pilfer a $25,000 violin from an elderly client, Gorvy Hauer (Alan Arkin). The introduction of Randy Kinny (Billy Crudup), a mustachioed, unhinged ex-con complicates matters further, pulling Mickey into a slippery slope of crime and murder.

The Blu-ray provides both the theatrical and the original Sundance-premiered cut, the latter titled "The Convincer." The theatrical version, re-scored with Jeff Dana's forgettable music and choppily edited to 93 minutes, contrasts sharply with the director’s 114-minute cut, which features more character depth and a score by Alex Wurman. Despite these differences, both versions share a significant flaw: an over-reliance on convoluted plot twists and heavy-handed exposition. Though Kinnear’s portrayal adeptly balances between despicable and pitiable, the story ultimately fractures under its own weight. Billy Crudup shines as the comedic highlight with his unpredictable antics, but Alan Arkin's character feels slightly miscast with his out-of-place New York accent.

Despite strong performances from the cast, including Kinnear's nuanced balance of smarm and vulnerability, and Crudup's scene-stealing energy, "Thin Ice" struggles with tonal coherence. The film’s venture from quirky humor into darker shades falters due to the uneven pacing and an unsatisfactory twist ending. Elements that evoke "Fargo" are present but fail to coalesce into a compelling narrative. This neo-noir comedy starts intriguing but dissolves into a formulaic denouement, leaving viewers craving a more robust and original execution.

"Thin Ice" makes for an intriguing watch with a generally solid Blu-Ray presentation, but falls short in several critical areas. The film's distribution history is tumultuous, with director Jill Sprecher's original cut being significantly altered by the distributor, resulting in a final product that lacks coherence. The performances of Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, and Billy Crudup do stand out—Kinnear’s portrayal of a morally dubious character and Crudup’s memorable intensity bring life to the film. However, even their commendable chemistry cannot fully compensate for the film's structural and tonal weaknesses. Both the original and theatrical versions share issues like underwhelming dark humor and an improbable ending that detract from the overall experience.

The Blu-Ray release maintains a high standard of video and audio quality, ensuring that viewers can appreciate the film's visual and auditory aspects without distraction. Despite 20th Century Fox’s effort to include both cuts of the film, "Thin Ice" remains plagued by the same foundational flaws. The supplementary features, while limited, do provide some additional context but fall short of delivering comprehensive insights that could enhance one's viewing experience. A commentary track could have been particularly enlightening, especially considering the behind-the-scenes changes made to the film.

In conclusion, "Thin Ice" (originally titled "The Convincer") is a mixed bag. Despite solid performances and technical presentation on Blu-Ray, the film’s significant changes and fundamental storytelling issues render it a lukewarm thriller. For heist/comedy fans craving a new experience, it may offer some low-key amusement, but these fleeting moments are not enough to make it memorable. Ultimately, this makes "Thin Ice" more suited to a rental than a purchase.