Ron Small Movies

Diane Keaton could not be further removed from Annie Hall if she'd taken a rocket to Mars in this gut-wrenching made-for-cable drama. Keaton is cast as widowed mother Patsy McCartle, who finds herself totally unable to support her two sons--the youngest of whom desperately needs medication for his asthsma--when she loses her waitress job. In a highly vulnerable state, Patsy succumbs to an offer made by a shady character named Roger Hopkins (Michael Rooker) and begins dealing crystal methamphetamine. At first the job seems easy, but the more she deals, the deeper she becomes involved in a deadly drug cartel--and worse, she becomes a meth addict herself. It is up to her sons to come to Patsy's rescue, if her criminal cohorts don't get to her first. At the time this film was made, the woman on whom the main character is based was in the Witness Protection Program. Executive-produced by star Keaton, On Thin Ice debuted November 3, 2003 on the Lifetime channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide