Back in the crowded past, a favourite memory is walking out of a room in the Casino on Venice’s Lido, and seeing the figure of Donald Sutherland walking in. Unlisted in the daily update of guests, Sutherland was taking part in a panel discussion, but after the events of Don’t Look Now, seeing Sutherland alive and well in Venice was something of a novelty. One of cinema’s most idiosyncratic performers, Sutherland is always great to watch, whether the film is good or not, and he certainly gives a lift to veteran Tom Gries’ romantic thriller from 1973.
The lush Miami setting feels like something from Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiaasen, and the drama starts out on the same hardboiled lines. A sweaty fence checks into a hotel, where gun-toting insurance investigator Andy Hammon (Sutherland) shakes him down for the jewels he’s carrying. Hammon works at a garage where he encounters Paula (Jennifer O’Neill), a rich trophy-wife who may also be a conduit for the kind of stolen diamonds he’s hiding. Hammon cheerfully steals her car, flirts with her, and works his way up to a proposition for a criminal partnership. Hammon also has the DOJ on his tail via the digged Ford Pierce (Robert Duvall) while her eccentric father Paul (Patrick Macgee) takes an instant dislike to him…
Restored and revived on Amazon Prime, Lady Ice is a thriller with quite a bit to offer; previous prints have looked dingy and near-unwatchable, whereas this incarnation looks as sharp and funky as Sutherland’s wardrobe. There’s heists, car-chases, scuba action and all kinds of mid-70’s blandishments, and the salty, anything goes feel delivers some choice moments. One implausible sequence sees Paula examining diamonds on a microscope in a speeding van while Hammon crashes his car against it; it’s pretty silly, but works in the context of the film’s on-going shaggy dog story.
So Lady Ice is worth a fresh look in this new streaming version? Absolutely, but be warned; there’s something shonky under the hood. This film has real script problems that come home to roost in the final act, which is underwhelming to say the least, despite several shoe-horned-in dialogue scenes clearly intended to move the goalposts. In the big climax, almost nothing happens, and the film ends with the most forced display of jocular, romantic laughter imaginable. It’s one of the worst endings on celluloid; a shame when much of Lady Ice has just the right kind of 70’s individualism to offer.
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Sutherland made some eclectic choices and sometimes need a top-quality co-star to bring out his A-game but this works well in terms of plot and Tom Gries is a somewhat under-rated talent.
Not sure if you’ve seen this new print but it’s well snazzy…
Will check it out. It always makes a difference getting a decent print of an older film.
You’ve lived one eventful life.
It’s one for the memoirs; I stood in the same room as Donald Sutherland. Hard to believe.
You going to write your memoirs? You’ll probably need a ghost writer – that’s serious stuff. I’m sure Alex would be happy to help.
I’d need a proper ghost writer, so Canadian Nosferatu is probably no use. Working title is ‘Chance Sutherland Encounter’
Is the whole book going to just be about that faithful night in Lido? Perhaps Robbie Collin would be interested in writing it?
Again, I’d need a proper writer to capture the magnitude of the moment. So no tories, nope. ‘Sutherland eye-contact vague almost meet’ is another title that appeals to me.
I prefer the second title. And I’m afraid I only know two writers. So you’re out of options.
Guess I’ll do it myself.
Risky decision. That’s like defending yourself in a court case. I’m sure you’ve had that experience many a time.
Undefeated champion. I fought the law and the law went gone injured.
What were the charges?
Quality. Dealing with oafs. Putting losers in their place. That kind of thing.
Much as I like Ol’ Donald, I’m not convinced to see it. A nope.
If you’ve got Prime, the last five mins is well worth watching as a stand-alone comedy.
And yes, I kept falling off the diamond!
your comment section has moved comments again….
That one foxed me as well.
It is so weird. Yours is the only site I’ve seen this happening on…
There is no extra charge. And adds an air of mystery. We appear to be answering our own questions before we have asked them.
Well, no dabbling in occultic powers for me, thank you very much. That’s a sure fire way to buy a ticket to deathsville!
Once again, a voice of reason.
I mean, look at Psychic Grandma. That’s not a look I want to go for at all…
So few are going for that look, but then, she wore it best. She saw the fashions coming, and shared her secrets. That’s why they call her Psychic Grandma.
Based on that picture, you don’t look half bad in little red dress.
Thanks! We took hours to get that look just right.
Well, it’s stood up to 50’ish years, so I’d say you did something right….
It’s a tricky look to maintain.