Movie Review - The Frozen Ground

The Frozen Ground

2013

The Cast

  

This is the story, based on true events, of Alaska State Trooper Jack Halcombe's search and conviction of serial killer Robert Hanson, who killed women in the late 70's and 80's.

There's a lot of crammed into the 105 minutes runtime. Though, on the whole, it's satisfactorily presented and keeps the viewer entertained and entwined.  The direction by Scott Walker, who also wrote the story, is tight and well crafted.  He does a great job of recreating the eras, both in sound and vision.

Nicholas Cage portrays the trooper Jack Halcombe, and though we know he can really act, Adaptation, Matchstick Men, World Trade Center, and Joe, here we have the usual Nicholas Cage being Nicholas Cage (though I have to say I am a fan of his work as his films are enjoyable).

John Cusack gives a subdued performance as the killer Robert Hanson.  Though, this makes the character more believable; on the outside, Hanson is a quiet man with a family who goes to work to provide - an ordinary man,  Though on the inside and in private moments he allows the psychopath to take the reigns.  Cusack does a good job of showing the frustration, anger, and desperation caused when the police net draws in closer.

The best performance is that of Vanessa Hudgens, who plays Cindy Poulson, the only survivor of Robert Hanson.  She expertly shows us Poulson's vulnerability, confusion, anger, distrust, and fear of her life.  There is a lot going on in this character's life as she's a runaway become prostitute.  Hudgens deftly handles the complexities and develops a believable character, giving the viewers someone to relate to.

Brad William Henke does an outstanding portrait of a criminal thug, come, henchman, Carl Galenski.  His formidable size is foreboding.  You would not want to go up against this man.

The rest of the cast also do a great job of keeping the feel of this movie, though I do think that Radha Mitchell, who plays Jack Halcombe's wife Allie, is much underused.  She's a talented actress, but here she only has a few scenes.

The story is a strong one and needed to be told.  The story does not glorify anything at all and in this case, it works well.  Everything is nitty gritty truth and reality.  No character shines above any of the others; this is not a Nicholas Cage film; it's not a John Cusack film.

I really enjoyed this movie and would watch it again.  If you like true tales of crime and justice this is for you.

I give this a truly entertaining 8.75 out of 10.

The Trailer