The Convincer

A Blu-ray disk of the 2011 film, "Thin Ice" arrived in the mail. And with that, I was finally able to watch director Jill Sprecher's original cut, "The Convincer," included on the disk in its entirety. The re-edit and re-titling of "The Convincer" by distributor ATO Pictures and production company Werc Werk Works was controversial, to say the least. Jill Sprecher said she was "heartbroken and devastated." In a note to Roger Ebert, Jill Sprecher said she doesn't even claim “Thin Ice” as her own: "Nearly 20 minutes were cut; the structure rearranged; out-takes used; voiceover and characters dropped ...  Although our names contractually remain on the film, my sister and I do not consider 'Thin Ice' to be our work."

Now I have Jill and Karen Sprecher's third (I'll refrain from saying, "... and final") film in my DVD collection, and I am sure I'll watch it many more times.

The Convincer
Actress Michelle Arthur on the set, with a logo of "The Convincer" on a chair back.

Jill Sprecher and Karen Sprecher

Other films by Jill Sprecher and Karen Sprecher
 
Clockwatchers, 1997

13 Conversations About One Thing, 2002

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