Michael Shannon is 'The Iceman' Richard Leonard Kuklinski holds a unique spot in the real life world of American serial killers. It is alleged that during his lifetime he murdered over 200 people, and most of them purely for financial gain. This very shady and unstable character was a contract killer for the Mafia beginning in the 1960's right through to the 1980's. Although, in reality Kuklinski reportedly started his killing spree years before meeting up with the organised crime crew. What made this story even more extraordinary was the fact he carried out these executions while living by all accounts the American Dream. Married with two daughters who had no idea that this was the method he used to provide for his family.
Kuklinski's remarkable story is now told in a great, intense film called 'The Iceman', a title bestowed upon him by the media. The outstanding actor Michael Shannon plays the 'hit man'. For me this was inspired casting as the role required a special skill of trying to maintain a vision of normality while obviously dealing with several inner demons and Shannon has shown he can do this with ease, making Kuklinski a true monster of a killer yet with a vulnerability that made him human. As the character said in the film, all he really loved and cared about was his wife and two girls. Shannon, this major talent with such an interesting face first came to my attention properly with his brief and memorable appearence in Sam Mendes' 2008 movie 'Revolutionary Road', a 50's set drama that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Shannon received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his sterling effort. He next impressed me with his regular role on the sprawling HBO gangster epic 'Boardwalk Empire' playing what must be one of the strangest law enforcement officers ever in the history of television. He will soon be seen as General Zod in the new Christopher 'Dark Knight' Nolan produced Superman flick, 'Man Of Steel. A role incidentially which was originally played by Terence Stamp in the Christopher Reeve 70's 'Superman' and 'Superman II'
Kuklinski's remarkable story is now told in a great, intense film called 'The Iceman', a title bestowed upon him by the media. The outstanding actor Michael Shannon plays the 'hit man'. For me this was inspired casting as the role required a special skill of trying to maintain a vision of normality while obviously dealing with several inner demons and Shannon has shown he can do this with ease, making Kuklinski a true monster of a killer yet with a vulnerability that made him human. As the character said in the film, all he really loved and cared about was his wife and two girls. Shannon, this major talent with such an interesting face first came to my attention properly with his brief and memorable appearence in Sam Mendes' 2008 movie 'Revolutionary Road', a 50's set drama that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Shannon received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his sterling effort. He next impressed me with his regular role on the sprawling HBO gangster epic 'Boardwalk Empire' playing what must be one of the strangest law enforcement officers ever in the history of television. He will soon be seen as General Zod in the new Christopher 'Dark Knight' Nolan produced Superman flick, 'Man Of Steel. A role incidentially which was originally played by Terence Stamp in the Christopher Reeve 70's 'Superman' and 'Superman II'
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