THE FROZEN GROUND - Cold hearted drama

Films based on Serial killers tend to follow a common trend.There will be a police officer who conducts his manhunt based on some witness or evidences. A prime witness who manages to escape from the clutches of the killer.The killer himself leads a dual life like Jekyl/Hyde and has no particular reasons for killing off his victims. And lastly, some scenes depicting the act of killings itself. Debutant director Scott Walker doesn’t bring any new insights to the serial killer genre, but he creates a satisfying atmosphere of dread and desolation.

Set in 1983 in Anchorage and based on a real case, the screenplay follows in the tracks of state trooper Jack (Cage) and his team as they hunt for serial offender Robert Hansen (Cusack) before he kidnaps, rapes, tortures and murders his next victim. Their only hope is a prostitute, Cindy Paulson (Vanessa Hudgens), who escapes her attacker’s clutches and understandably doesn’t want to go anywhere near the police.

The only thing really separating this film from the others like it is the cast.The biggest stars are Nicolas Cage as the State Trooper after Hansen, Vanessa Hudgens (unfortunately) as the escaped victim and John Cusack as the killer. Nicolas Cage is so grounded here, so real and simple. The whole film really hinges on Holcombe trying to make Cindy trust him so that she will testify and be a reliable witness, and this is where Cage shines. His entire performance is about two things only: thinking and listening.Cage was one of my favorite actors for quiet a while till World Trade Center  happened. Things went terribly south thereafter and he has been a shadow of his past, but it is so good to see him return to something of his best here. John Cussack is a hugely under rated actor who has given really good performances in his carrier, and he doesn't disappoint here as well.But the real surprise package is Venessa Hudgens who has matured tremendously from her High School Muical Days.

For an inexperienced director like Scott Walker this a great start to a career. The desolate Alaskan wilderness is shot in a way that reflects the bleak and hopeless mood of the first hour or so of the film. In contrast, the busy city of Anchorage seems dangerous and dirty much like the people and the girl gets mixed up in.This is a film with nothing new to offer and even the serial killer himself is not a legend like Ted Bundy. But, there is something different in its intensity and presentation.If for nothing else, watch it for Nicholas Cage and his revival which I hope would continue for some time.

WORTHY MENTIONS

There is a blink and miss role by 50 cents

MY VERDICT

*** - Good to see Cage back