Bit to Do

There is a film my wife used to enjoy watching whenever she was sick. It is a relatively obscure, somewhat artsy film from 2001 called “13 Conversations About One Thing.” Why this tended to relax her, I don’t know – while it is a fantastic and moving film, it is not an overall happy movie, and it tends towards the dark side. All this is really beside the point, which is that the director of the film, Jill Sprecher, has proven herself to be a talented filmmaker, one who should be better known.

Now she returns with her first film in ten years: Village 8 Theaters presents “Thin Ice,” which plays as part of their Louisville Exclusive series. The film is about an insurance salesman (Greg Kinnear) who is desperate for money. He hires an ex-con (Billy Crudup) to help steal an antique violin from one of his clients (Alan Arkin), a plan which goes awry when they accidentally kill the violin’s owner. Shenanigans ensue.

There is a certain amount of controversy surrounding this film: it premiered in an entirely different form at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival as “The Convincer,” which was very well received. However, after the festival the film was picked up by distributors who demanded that the film be re-cut to quicken the pace. Sprecher refused involvement, and the distributors hired a brand new editor and composer, completely changing the film to the form it is now: “Thin Ice.” Sprecher is not allowed to talk about this whole process, but she is, to put it likely, displeased.

But you be the judge! “Thin Ice” will play at Village 8 until this Thursday, March 8. Village 8 Theater is located at 4014 Dutchmans Lane. More theater information and showtimes can be found at the theater’s website.

Image: Internet Movie Database.