On Thin Ice | Rotten Tomatoes

On Thin Ice

TV-14

2003

1 hr. 36 min.

Drama

List

Reviews

63%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

A widow, Patsy McCartle (Diane Keaton), struggles to support herself and her two sons on her meager wages as a waitress. To make matters worse, she ends up losing that job, which at least allowed her to buy her son's asthma medication. Growing increasingly desperate under the strain of debt, Patsy resorts to selling crystal meth for a local drug cartel. She is finally able to provide a decent living for her family, but all of that is threatened when she becomes addicted to her product.

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Lori H

With an interesting and gritty storyline, it's difficult to watch. The biggest hurdle in this movie is casting Diane Keaton, with her too put-together adorable wardrobe and her perfectly highlighted and trimmed hair, perfect makeup, you just absolutely don't buy her as a starving poor mother turning to drugs. The casting is really awful here, I kept hoping for someone more like Kelly Reilly (who is versatile enough to portray a drug addict as she did in Flight and a rich socialite as in Pride and Prejudice.) There are also some conversation exchanges that missed the mark, like her son quitting basketball because she missed too many games, the way she's abusive and hard on her kids would be harder to watch if it felt more real. And showing a dead child was completely unnecessary and cinematically poorly handled. I just don't buy these characters at all and the way it unraveled was unsatisfying. It never grabbed me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/29/24

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the worst movies of all time!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

It was difficult to watch the heroine go through the descent into addiction, neglect of her kids, and the process of kicking the crystal meth habit. Yet I couldn't tear my eyes away. Diane Keaton is still Diane Keaton, but she does a credible job of portraying someone whose life gets totally and dangerously out of control.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Why Dianne Keaton thinks for a minute that she can portray a starving mom with two kids. It's just so disingenuous, so startling, so not credible. As this women does is darts around with designer clothes and driving her old, broken down station wagon, I think.... what the hell is this woman doing? I tried to keep my interest in this one going, but I just gave up on it 30 minutes into the film. Based on a true story. Patsy McCartle is a widow with two sons tring to gather all the money she has to pay for her car, bills, and her son's medication, all of which she can barely afford. Patsy then turns to dealing drugs and becomes addicted to crystal meth. Her only way of recovery rests in the hands of her children. Director: David Attwood Writer: Wesley Bishop Stars:Diane Keaton, Frank Adamson and Lisa Best

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I got to see the movie " On Thin Ice" on the television in Cincinnati on Lifetime.. I must say the movie was really well done, and really sent a chill down my spine.. the basic story makes me ponder what makes certain addicts decide to move on where as others still remain addicted... however, I felt that Diane Keaton was at her best... the scene where she has cravings, and begins rummaging her home for cocaine... was the best... the two boys are good, and Lynda Boyd also showed what a good actress she is....The script is well done as is the cinematography and direction.. and casting A must must watch movie..... for everyone

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This was an excellent movie. Knowing me would let one know just how much this movie touched home. Sober 19 years today 6/19/91! Yahoo AA This movie pretty much shows it like it is - idefinitely lets one know what life being poor and addicted with children is like. A Must See!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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David Attwood

Director

Diane Keaton

Patsy McCartle

Michael Rooker

Actor

Lynda Boyd

Carrie Kilmer

Colin Roberts

Kevin McCartle

Michael Seater

Jason McCartle

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Synopsis

A widow, Patsy McCartle (Diane Keaton), struggles to support herself and her two sons on her meager wages as a waitress. To make matters worse, she ends up losing that job, which at least allowed her to buy her son's asthma medication. Growing increasingly desperate under the strain of debt, Patsy resorts to selling crystal meth for a local drug cartel. She is finally able to provide a decent living for her family, but all of that is threatened when she becomes addicted to her product.

Director: David Attwood
Executive Producer: Stanley M. Brooks, Diane Keaton, Bill Robinson
Screenwriter: Wesley Bishop
Production Co: Once Upon a Time Films
Rating: TV-14 (V|L)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Sep 6, 2011

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