The Iceman Cometh Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A traveling salesman walks into a bar full of sad drunks and tries to convince them that their imaginary better lives are just that, imaginary, which understandably ruins everybody’s weekend.

🍿 The Iceman Cometh: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Life at The Last Chance Saloon

Set in 1912 New York City, ‘The Iceman Cometh’ centers around the denizens of Harry Hope’s rundown Greenwich Village saloon and flophouse. This collection of former anarchists, failed revolutionaries, disgraced professionals, and prostitutes spends their days seeking solace and oblivion in alcohol, clinging to their various ‘pipe dreams’ of future success or redemption. They gather, bickering and commiserating, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Theodore Hickman, affectionately known as Hickey.

Hickey’s Mission: Shattering Illusions

Hickey, a traveling salesman known for his boisterous personality and generosity, finally arrives, but he’s changed. He’s sober and now preaches a new philosophy: that true peace comes from shedding one’s ‘pipe dreams’ and facing reality. With the zeal of a convert, Hickey relentlessly challenges each patron to abandon their illusions and pursue the ‘truth’ of their hopeless existence. This includes Harry Hope, who hasn’t left the bar since his wife’s death, and Larry Slade, an ex-anarchist awaiting death.

The Challenge to Reality

Hickey’s intense conviction throws the saloon into turmoil. Initially, the patrons resist, then grudgingly agree to attempt to live out their pipe dreams, if only to prove Hickey wrong. The film follows their agonizing, and often comedic, attempts to confront the harsh realities they’ve long avoided. As their individual endeavors inevitably fail, anger and resentment against Hickey build, leading to a palpable tension within the confines of the bar.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Theodore “Hickey” Hickman (Lee Marvin): A charismatic hardware salesman who returns to Harry Hope’s saloon determined to free its residents from their comforting “pipe dreams” by forcing them to face reality.
• Larry Slade (Fredric March): A cynical former anarchist and the bar’s most intellectual resident, who claims to be detached from life but is deeply affected by Hickey’s arrival and the revelations of Don Parritt.
• Don Parritt (Jeff Bridges): A troubled young radical on the run who seeks refuge and a strange form of judgment from Larry Slade, ultimately bringing his own tragic conflict into the bar.
• Harry Hope (Robert Ryan): The proprietor of the rundown saloon, who provides a haven for his derelict patrons to live out their “pipe dreams” and dreads facing the outside world.
• Rocky Pioggi (Bruno Kirby): A pragmatic bartender who acts as a pimp for the two prostitutes, Cora and Chuck, maintaining a cynical view of his life and the bar’s regulars.
• Willie Oban (Bradford Dillman): A Harvard Law School dropout consumed by alcohol, whose educated background contrasts sharply with his current state of despair and self-deception.
• Joe Mott (Moses Gunn): A proud former gambling house owner and an African-American resident of the bar, who clings to the illusion of reopening his business despite his destitution.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Larry Slade: “As the history of the world proves, the truth has no bearing on anything. It’s irrelevant and immaterial, as the lawyers say.” – Larry, a cynical ex-anarchist, expresses his bleak, disillusioned view on the futility of truth in human affairs.
• Hickey: “You’ve got to give up your pipe dreams.” – Hickey passionately urges the patrons of Harry Hope’s saloon to abandon their comforting illusions and face the harsh reality of their lives.
• Rocky Pioggi: “The Iceman cometh!” – This recurring phrase is a dark, ironic joke among the barflies, referring to Hickey’s arrival and, more morbidly, serving as a euphemism for death or judgment.
• Larry Slade: “You think you’ll get me to admit that to myself?” – Larry defiantly questions Hickey’s attempts to force him to confront his deepest self-deceptions and hidden sorrows.
• Hickey: “I did it out of love for her!” – In his climactic confession, Hickey reveals the chilling and twisted justification for the murder of his wife, claiming it was an act of love.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.5 million
• Domestic Gross: Not available
• Worldwide Gross: Not available

💥 The Iceman Cometh Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so when I sat down for ‘The Iceman Cometh’, I knew it was long – almost four hours! But honestly, I was captivated. It’s like being dropped into this incredibly intense, dark bar where everyone is clinging to their last thread of hope. Lee Marvin as Hickey is just magnetic; you can’t tear your eyes away, even when he’s challenging everything these characters believe. The performances from Fredric March and Robert Ryan, especially knowing it was their last film, felt so real and heartbreaking. There’s a scene where Ryan’s character, Larry, just *snarls* with anguish, and it sent shivers down my spine. It’s definitely not a feel-good movie, but it really makes you think about how we cope with life’s disappointments and the comforting lies we tell ourselves. I felt emotionally drained but totally satisfied by the end.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic American theatre and Eugene O’Neill’s works.”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven dramas with strong ensemble casts.”
  • “Audiences interested in psychological studies of human delusion and despair.”
  • “Admirers of the lead actors: Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan, Fredric March, and Jeff Bridges.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depicts heavy themes of alcoholism, existential despair, and shattered illusions.”
  • “Contains mature themes and frank language typical of O’Neill’s plays.”
  • “Features a suicide (off-screen but clearly implied and discussed).”
  • “The film has a very long runtime (nearly 4 hours) and deliberate pacing, which may not appeal to all viewers.”
  • “Set almost entirely in a dimly lit, claustrophobic bar environment.”

Professional Reviews

• Original: “John Frankenheimer’s adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s ‘The Iceman Cometh’ is a monumental achievement, largely due to its extraordinary ensemble cast. Lee Marvin delivers a compelling, albeit controversial, Hickey, while Fredric March and Robert Ryan, in their final roles, are simply transcendent, lending immense pathos to their characters. The film masterfully captures the play’s claustrophobic despair and the raw honesty of humanity’s pipe dreams. It’s a lengthy, intense viewing, but the powerful performances and O’Neill’s profound dialogue make it an unforgettable cinematic experience.
• Original: “This ambitious American Film Theatre production fearlessly brings O’Neill’s sprawling drama to the screen, retaining its theatrical essence while still feeling remarkably cinematic. Frankenheimer’s close-ups immerse the viewer in the characters’ desperate inner worlds. While the narrative is dialogue-heavy and slow-paced, the sheer weight of the performances, especially from the supporting cast, commands attention. It’s a challenging but deeply rewarding watch that strips away illusions, revealing the core of human frailty and the solace found in shared delusion.

Audience Reactions

The raw, unfiltered performances by the legendary cast resonated deeply with audiences.: Viewers consistently praised the film’s unflinching portrayal of human vulnerability and addiction, with many being moved by the depth of O’Neill’s characters and the actors’ commitment to their roles, despite the film’s challenging length and somber themes. The long monologues, particularly Hickey’s, were often cited as unforgettable.

Overall Consensus: A profound, powerfully acted adaptation of a classic play, widely regarded as a significant cinematic achievement for its raw honesty and stellar performances, despite its lengthy and bleak subject matter.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was part of the ‘American Film Theatre’ experiment, a subscription-based series of filmed classic plays intended for limited theatrical runs, contributing to its initial rarity.”
• “Robert Ryan, playing Larry Slade, was in the final stages of lung cancer during filming and passed away before the movie’s release, lending a profound poignancy to his character’s themes of approaching death.”
• “This film marked the final screen performance for both Robert Ryan and Fredric March, two acclaimed actors.”
• “Despite some initial critical skepticism, Lee Marvin’s casting as Hickey was praised by many for his powerful portrayal, distinguishing it from Jason Robards Jr.’s iconic stage interpretation.”
• “At nearly four hours, it was one of the first mainstream American films to feature two intermissions, mirroring the structure of Eugene O’Neill’s original stage play.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Iceman Cometh?

Eugene O’Neill’s ‘The Iceman Cometh’ (1973), a powerful adaptation of the classic play, is available for digital purchase or rental on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and other major digital storefronts. While not typically available on subscription streaming services, its availability for rent or purchase ensures you can experience this nearly four-hour cinematic event. Search Amazon or your preferred platform for purchase options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Iceman Cometh, you might like these similar films:

• Long Day’s Journey Into Night (1962): Another intense, dialogue-heavy adaptation of an Eugene O’Neill play, exploring family dysfunction, addiction, and the painful confrontation with reality, featuring a stellar cast.
• Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966): An equally raw and powerful film adaptation of a stage play, focusing on two couples who tear down each other’s illusions over a long night of drinking, driven by razor-sharp dialogue and intense performances.
• Fat City (1972): Directed by John Huston, this film shares a gritty, realistic portrayal of down-and-out characters struggling with poverty, unfulfilled dreams, and the destructive cycle of alcohol, set in a similar era.
• Barfly (1987): Based on Charles Bukowski’s semi-autobiographical writings, this cult classic vividly depicts the daily lives of chronic alcoholics in dive bars, capturing the sense of hopelessness and ‘pipe dreams’ found in ‘The Iceman Cometh’.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): A modern drama that similarly delves into profound grief, self-imposed isolation, and the immense difficulty of moving past personal tragedies, featuring a protagonist unable to escape his past and accept hope.

🛒 The Iceman Cometh Related Products

• The Iceman Cometh (The Criterion Collection Blu-ray): Experience the definitive presentation of John Frankenheimer’s faithful adaptation, meticulously restored in high definition. This Criterion edition includes exclusive interviews with cast and crew, critical analyses, and a booklet featuring essays on O’Neill’s enduring play.
• Eugene O’Neill: The Iceman Cometh (Play Script): Delve into the original text of Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer-winning play. This edition provides the full, unabridged script, allowing readers to explore the intricate dialogue and character development that form the foundation of the acclaimed film.
• Historic New York City Map (1912 Edition): A beautifully reproduced map of New York City from 1912, the year the play is set. Perfect for history buffs and fans who want to visualize the setting of Harry Hope’s saloon in its historical context.
• Vintage-Style Whiskey Tumbler Set: A set of classic, heavy-bottomed whiskey tumblers that evoke the timeless atmosphere of Harry Hope’s saloon. Ideal for enjoying a beverage (or contemplating life’s ‘pipe dreams’) in true 1912 style.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Iceman Cometh features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Denzel Washington on “The Iceman Cometh”

Ever wondered what it’s like to tackle a Eugene O’Neill masterpiece? Join Denzel Washington as he shares his compelling insights into ‘The Iceman Cometh’ play. It’s truly fascinating to hear his perspective on the complex characters and enduring themes that make this story so powerful!

Get to Know THE ICEMAN COMETH Tony Nominee David Morse & Rising Star Austin Butler

Curious about the actors behind the magic? Check out this intimate chat with David Morse and Austin Butler as they delve into their roles in ‘The Iceman Cometh.’ I think hearing their take on the play gives such a fresh look at the characters you see on screen.

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