Drama
United States of America
The Iceman Cometh is a 1973 film adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's play of the same name. Directed by John Frankenheimer, the film stars Lee Marvin as Hickey, a charismatic salesman who has come to The Last Chance Saloon to bring a message of sobriety and truth to its desperate occupants. The patrons, including a former anarchist (Robert Ryan), a bitter ex-cop (Fredric March), and an aging prostitute (Jeff Bridges), initially welcome Hickey's arrival, but as he begins to unveil their illusions and self-delusions, tensions in the bar rise to a fever pitch. The film's lengthy running time, 239 minutes, allows for an in-depth exploration of O'Neill's themes of disillusionment, repression, and the human need for hope, connection, and meaning. The Iceman Cometh is a dark and powerful portrait of a group of lost souls struggling to find their way in a harsh and unforgiving world.
