MovieChat Forums > The Convincer (2011) Discussion > Thin Ice totally re-cut without the dire...

Thin Ice totally re-cut without the director

posted 12 years ago by rongus
13 replies | jump to latest

As you've probably read Thin Ice is The Convincer totally recut and scored without the involvement of the writer/director, the original Oscar-winning editor, and it's Emmy-winning composer. You can read about it here:

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/134121398.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

I'd like to know if anyone has seen both versions and has an opinion of the changes.

We fans of Jill and Karen Sprecher, who have been waiting ten years for their next film will, unfortunately, have to wait a bit more. If you were lucky enough to see The Convincer at festivals or in pre-release, then you saw the film we were (and are) waiting for. Consider yourself privileged.

It's been reported that both films will be included on the Thin Ice Blue Ray disc. I'm hoping that's true, for I have little confidence in this release.

Anyone who appreciates the little art films the Sprecher sisters have crafted know "the story" and how quickly or succinctly it's resolved isn't the actual content. It's the psychological space, the silences, and emotional nuances that are at the heart of their films.

I have an eerie premonition that those spaces and nuances are going to be fleeting in this cut.

One other note: nobody who loved this movie named it "Thin Ice." It's like naming your daughter Shallow.

[–] MC1-Bjornson 12 years ago

Thanks for the lowdown. I'll wait for the Blu-ray.

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/134121398.html?page=al l&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Best Wishes, ~ MC1
"The reservist formerly known as JO2"

[–] aab874 12 years ago

LOVED the film THIN ICE! I feel TERRIBLE for the writer/director, but I LOVED the film. This Redleaf woman sounds like a NASTY BITCH! Her people left her company. I do want to see DARLING COMPANION - I won't let her stop me from seeing it.

[–] movie_fan59 12 years ago

I'd read Roger Ebert's review, which he edited later to include information he received in a latter from Jill Sprecher regarding how the film she'd delivered had been edited in a brutal fashion, including the removal of 20 minutes of scenes, the addition of out-takes, and the removal and re-scoring.

I saw the version released to the public today. Seeing it makes me want to see the original, very much. The promise in the script and on-screen is clearly evident. So are the ham-handed alterations.

I look forward to seeing the original version someday.

Jake: How often does the train go by?
Elwood: So often that you won't even notice it.

[–] pjpoconnell 12 years ago

Interesting information. The film released was quite good. Would really like to know now what the original was like. I do think that "Thin Ice" is a much better title than "The Convincer."

[–] balducci2 12 years ago

Weird. I thought the movie as released was nice enough. Not super great, but say 7/10.

I really cannot imagine how it could have been any better with additional scenes, or with a rearranged structure.

In fact, it was already long enough that it started dragging towards the end IMHO.

[–] aab874 12 years ago

So did this Redleaf woman have the actors return to film new scenes? I wonder what the differences were.

Interesting how Redleaf's people suddenly left the company after this film was released.

Still, I LOVE this version! Haven't seen the original - LOVE this version!

[–] nutsberryfarm 12 years ago

that's not cool. i was looking fwd to this.

“Can't go wrong with taupe."- Wynn Duffy

[–] balducci2 12 years ago

The claim in the startribune article you provided the link to that "The Convincer (now titled "Thin Ice") won critical acclaim at international festivals" may be a little exaggerated. For instance, this Sundance review

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/sundance-review-convincer-poor-man-76350

describes "The Convincer" as a "poor man's Fargo" and "a lame foray into Coen Brothers territory".

The review also seems (IMO) to criticize aspects of the structure and music of the original movie cut.

[–] rongus 12 years ago

Thankfully, we'll now be able to compare both versions--
http://blogcritics.org/video/article/blu-ray-review-thin-ice-2011/

[–] Hollywoodshack 11 years ago

Was the narration in The Convincer and the same ending?

[–] KlutzyGirl 11 years ago

Are the deleted scenes on the DVD all the parts that were cut from the original? Because they didn't add much, and several were the same as in the final film. I liked this version and would like to see the original, but I wouldn't bother if these are all that was cut. I most certainly would not buy the Blu-Ray after buying the DVD. Blu-Ray in general seems like a scam.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mr-herpyderp 11 years ago

As long as you have an HD tv I can assure you Blu-ray is not a scam lol... It's beautiful. The first time I saw a Blu-ray was like the first time I saw a DVD compared to VHS. Considering how cheap the players are now you should get one

Rosebud is Bruce Willis! and the sled was a ghost the whole time!!!