Based on the
true story of serial killer Robert Christian Hansen who kidnapped, raped and
killed over 20 young women near Anchorage, Alaska between 1971 and 1983, The
Frozen Ground focuses on the experience of Cindy Paulson, who at the age of 17
was abducted by Hansen.
Paulsen is
played by Vanessa Hudgens as she continues to leave her Disney child star
stereotype in the dust, expanding her range as a serious actress after her turn
earlier this year in Spring Breakers with a truly gritty performance. Miley
Cyrus should take some notes, this is how you transition from child star to
bigger and better things.
Nicolas Cage
turns in his best work in recent memory as Sgt. Jack Halcombe, the Alaskan
State Trooper who is tasked with catching Hansen. Cage has been in so many
dreadful movies over the past few years, it's both a surprise and welcome sight
to watch him in this film. Cage plays Jack with a level of quiet compassion
that reminded me that he used to be considered a pretty decent actor. We can
only hope this role will bring him back to doing quality work.
Much like
Cage, I was also happy with how John Cusack delivered the role of serial killer
Robert Hansen. There is a creepy undertone to Cusack's performance that helped
remind me that despite the fact that this is a movie, the man he is playing is
very real and was out there for over a decade stalking and killing young women.
I would have
liked to have seen more of Robert Hansen's world during the movie but because
much of the story is told from the perspective of Halcombe and Paulsen we don’t
get as much as I would have liked. For me it left parts of the film feeling
somewhat disjointed.
Director
Scott Walker also wrote the script. When you consider that this is his first
film, I feel like he has done a pretty good job. The mid 80's Alaskan setting is
dreary and the musical score nicely brings that feeling home. The Frozen Ground
is not a perfect movie but it was much better than I would have expected and
would make a pretty decent rental for anyone that enjoys true crime thrillers.
-Review by Brian Rohe