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The Ice Storm
Directed by: Ang Lee
Starring: Sigourney Weaver
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 112
min.
Release Date:
September 1997
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
THE ICE STORM is a
startling look at 1973 America and how lost so many people (parents,
children, neighbors, etc.) became during this transitional time. The
free-love of the 60s spill over into the 30 and 40-somethings of a
sleepy Connecticut community and runs smack into the dysfunctional
family of Ben and Elena Hood (Kevin Kline and Joan Allen).
Ben is having an affair with his neighbor's wife, Janey Carver
(Sigourney Weaver, ALIENS), and the boredom they both feel during
their "love making" is palpable. They want something different to
happen, but what that "something" is remains unobtainable. And the two's
lackadaisical attitudes toward sex, family, and the times seep into
their everyday lives; even into their spouses' and children.
Ben's wife Elena gets caught shoplifting from the local pharmacy.
Janey's husband Jim goes away on long business trips and returns with
funks of depression because of what he witnesses going on in his family.
The children of Ben and Janey are also settling into this bizarre
behavior. Some of them explore sexuality in often strange ways, or run
out into storms and play on ice-covered roads. Others blow things up
with M80 firecrackers, or smoke pot and drink to numb themselves out.
But all of these people's lives will change in an unalterable way during
one evening; an ice storm has hit and the cold outside bashes against
the cold each character feels inside. Some will live, some will die, and
others will never be the same.
The attention to detail on the 70s in director Ang Lee's movie is
astounding. The sweater-vest outfits, paneled station wagons, and boxy
homes were excellently filmed.
You can also feel the dark undercurrent running through the characters'
lives: the grayish landscape cinematography against the quiet homes that
harbor secrets.
The cast was absolutely perfect, too. Kevin Kline (one of my favorite
actors), Sigourney Weaver, Joan Allen, Elijah Wood, Tobey Maguire, Katie
Holmes, Christina Ricci, and Jamey Sheridan all pull in stunning
performances.
Having gushed over how well done the movie was, I do have to comment on
its pacing. If you thought SIDEWAYS was snail-like, this movie
may make you feel as though grass could grow faster.
Director Ang Lee has had some serious success in Hollywood as of late (BROKEBACK
MOUNTAIN, 2005), but this earlier work is an excellent
way to see how he's grown in the intervening years.
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Image from The Ice Storm
DVD cost: $6.99
Purchase:
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Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
In the novel The Ice
Storm, Rich Moody writes "And sometimes Paul himself was Ben Grimm, and
sometimes he was Peter Parker, a.k.a. the Spider-Man" Ironically, 'Tobey
Maguire ' plays both Paul and Peter Parker in the film versions.
Movie Quote: "I
have a husband. I don't particularly feel the need for another."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Ice Storm
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