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On the Ice Review

  • Release Date: Feb 17, 2012
  • Rated: Language, Violence and Some Drug Content
  • Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min.
  • Genres: Art House/Foreign, Drama, Suspense/Thriller
  • Cast:Olemaun Rexford. Full cast + crew

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    59

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 50

    out of 100

    The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

    Glinting white vistas and endless light blanket On the Ice, a frigid drama that's tough to warm up to.

    Read Full Review

  • 60

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal John Anderson

    Writer-director Andrew Okpeaha MacLean, who in his feature debut has lashed together a sturdy vehicle for unadorned morality and pragmatic justice.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    This is an uncommonly involving thriller. I could call it a film noir, except that the sun never sets in the film. That makes a perfect contrast with the only other feature filmed in Barrow, the vampire movie "30 Days of Night" (2007), in which it never rises.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Village Voice

    On the Ice is a marvel of concentrated, classical storytelling. The flat, snowy landscape strips away all but the essentials from its tale.

    Read Full Review

  • See all On the Ice reviews at Metacritic.com

Fan Reviews provided by

4

On the Ice - A great story showing modern native culture by gransbert
It's rare to see a film that discusses culture that also has a brilliant story. I found myself captivated by the story's portrayal of a modern Alaskan village. The story was well-formed and included a lot of local knowledge and traditions. It is a glimpse into some of the struggles faced in rural Alaskan life while also showing the reality, that there are many great and amazing people still living in villages...sadly, this doesn't sell newspapers or make it into government reports. It is a film that is as telling of a culture as it is telling a great story. Well shot, well acted (especially considering the lack of experience of most of the actors) and well written. It's a testament to Alaskan films and filmmakers.

5

Go see it! by aelynch76
loved it!

4

On the Ice review by cynthiabolivar
This movie was as great as Fargo. Some really great performances.

5

Awesome!
This was a great movie! Completely shot in Barrow with all-Alaskan cast. As good, if not better than most Hollywood big productions. Very impressed!!!

5

On the Ice review by snaky77
Watch it!

5

On the Ice review
On the Ice is a must-see, a startling and pictaresque piece of native alaskan cinema, complete with the humor and complexities of everyday life in one of the state's most isolated communities. Beautifully orchestrated cinematography and direction make it worth seeing on the big screen more than once. Many first time actors give brilliant and realistic performances, helping to tell a captivating human story set in a place as cold and gritty as the realities lived by its characters.

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