Reviewed by Melissa Garza
When I was young, I would always root for the anti-hero. Villains when portrayed best would invoke a level of sympathy and at times, even understanding.
Norman Bates, Frankenstein, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and The Phantom of the Opera are all great examples of the society-made monster. Though the story has been told countless ways, it never fails to fascinate. “Ice Cream Man” though more light-hearted and comedic than most, still stands out as an underrated and entertaining film worthy of cult classic status.
The production follows Gregory (Clint Howard), a small town traumatized Ice Cream truck driver who was only recently released from a psychiatric hospital. When Gregory was a child he witnessed his hero, the then Ice Cream man, gunned down in the middle of the street during a drug war. Gregory remained sitting and eating his cone. When approached by his mother who asked if he was alright, he simply asks aloud, “who will bring the ice cream?”
It was only shortly after, when young Gregory was admitted to the asylum. Nurse Wharton (Olivia Hussey) along with a doctor who insists that each and every day is a happy day. To invoke this mindset the hospital utilized oversized needles with neon green liquid and shock treatment.
Wharton leaves the hospital and takes over as guardian to Gregory. She allows him to stay on her property and doesn’t even suspect him when her dog turns up missing. He opens the ice cream business and keeps his truck on her property. All of the towns-children and even some of the adults run to the ringing bell and order their favorite flavors. Little do the patrons know that blood, guts, bugs and body parts are mixed in with the dessert.
Soon, a few kids and adults go the way of the dog and disappear just the same. Though the adults are unsure of what caused the sudden disappearances, the children grow suspicious of the Ice Cream Man. Their concerns grow when they witness a kidnapping and take secret pictures of the inside of his truck.
The tykes run to the police who investigate but when they come up short, automatically assume the young ones simply have a wild imagination. Meanwhile, Gregory begins mentoring his kidnapped protégé.
Clint Howard is perfect in the role. He does outstanding in the lead and creates a creepy, strange psycho which does invoke sympathy. Scream queen Olivia Hussey also did great. Hussey who is a horror veteran starred in everything from “Black Christmas,” “Psycho IV” “IT” and “The Cat and the Canary.” She is by far one of the most versatile actresses who always delivers a stand-out performance. Here, her role was odder than many others however she was still able to add the necessary believability to the character.
Overall “Ice Cream Man” is a fun unique movie which is a perfect watch for a Saturday afternoon.
Scared Stiff Rating 6.5/10
