X
  • 2012
  • R
  • Memento Films
  • 1 h 36 m
  • 2012
  • R
  • Memento Films
  • 1 h 36 m

Summary Two teenage boys, who have grown up like brothers, go about their lives in the comfortable claustrophobia of an isolated Alaskan town. Early one morning, on a seal hunt with another teenager, an argument between the three boys quickly escalates into a tragic accident. Bonded by their dark secret, the two best friends are forced to create...

Directed By: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean

Written By: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean

  • 2012
  • R
  • Memento Films
  • 1 h 36 m
  • 2012
  • R
  • Memento Films
  • 1 h 36 m

On the Ice

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 12 Critic Reviews
59
User Score Mixed or Average
5.0
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Two teenage boys, who have grown up like brothers, go about their lives in the comfortable claustrophobia of an isolated Alaskan town. Early one morning, on a seal hunt with another teenager, an argument between the three boys quickly escalates into a tragic accident. Bonded by their dark secret, the two best friends are forced to create...

Directed By: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean

Written By: Andrew Okpeaha MacLean

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 12 Critic Reviews
59
42% Positive
5 Reviews
58% Mixed
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 12 Critic Reviews
59
42% Positive
5 Reviews
58% Mixed
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
83
Feb 15, 2012
The performances, all from non-professional local actors, are noticeably uneven, but the film is as much a portrait of a place as it is a narrative, and cinematographer Lol Crawley shoots the white-on-white polar expanses like they're vistas stretching to the ends of the earth-which in a way, they are.
FULL REVIEW
80
Feb 14, 2012
On the Ice is a marvel of concentrated, classical storytelling. The flat, snowy landscape strips away all but the essentials from its tale.
FULL REVIEW
65
Feb 21, 2012
In most respects, On the Ice is the kind of straight-ahead, underprivileged-teen drama beloved of Sundance audiences.
By Ella Taylor FULL REVIEW
50
Feb 23, 2012
Film noir has seldom been so blanc.
By J.R. Jones FULL REVIEW
50
Feb 17, 2012
Barrow's frozen vistas are a perfect match for the noir tone of On the Ice. Unfortunately, the emotional landscape of MacLean's stoic main character, Qalli, is often as blank as the tundra.
FULL REVIEW
50
Feb 16, 2012
The moral dilemmas in On the Ice ultimately fail to resonate, Qalli's concluding plea for his flawed humanity coming off as strangely hollow.
FULL REVIEW
40
Feb 14, 2012
More than a moral dilemma is needed to make up for the uneven performances, slack pacing and wonky dialogue, and while MacLean certainly has a keen eye, the rest of his storytelling facilities haven't quite caught up with it yet.
By David Fear FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 4 User Ratings
5.0
25% Positive
1 Rating
50% Mixed
2 Ratings
25% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 4 User Ratings
5.0
25% Positive
1 Rating
50% Mixed
2 Ratings
25% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company On the Ice Productions, Silverwood Films, Treehead Films, Whitewater Films
Release Date Feb 17, 2012
Duration 1 h 36 m
Rating R
Genres
Website http://ontheicethemovie.com/
View All Details

Awards

American Indian Film Festival
• 1 Win & 5 Nominations
Berlin International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Woodstock Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations

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