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The Ice Storm
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The Ice Storm (1997) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 31 | slideshow) Videos (see all 9)
The Ice Storm (1997) -- 1973, suburban Connecticut: middle class families experimenting with casual sex, drink, etc., find their lives out of control.
The Ice Storm (1997) -- The awkward beginning of a couple swapping party in which the wives select the car keys of other married men to go home with.
The Ice Storm (1997) -- 1973, suburban Connecticut: middle class families experimenting with casual sex, drink, etc., find their lives out of control.
The Ice Storm (1997) -- Wendy invites Sandy into the bathroom for a little game of "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
The Ice Storm (1997) -- Sandy and Wendy get drunk and naked in his parent's bed.

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   24,895 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 27% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Ang Lee
Writers:
Rick Moody (novel)
James Schamus (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Ice Storm on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 September 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
It was 1973, and the climate was changing. more
Plot:
1973, suburban Connecticut: middle class families experimenting with casual sex, drink, etc., find their lives out of control. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 19 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(27 articles)
Live Nude Elf: Rev. Jen hits the Sunset Strip
 (From Huffington Post. 2 July 2009, 8:28 AM, PDT)
Matt Reeves Talks 'Let The Right One In' Remake
 (From Cinematical. 30 June 2009, 4:20 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
not the kind of film to watch right before you want to go to sleep; one of the best films of 97 more

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

Kevin Kline ... Ben Hood

Joan Allen ... Elena Hood

Sigourney Weaver ... Janey Carver

Henry Czerny ... George Clair

Tobey Maguire ... Paul Hood

Christina Ricci ... Wendy Hood

Elijah Wood ... Mikey Carver

Adam Hann-Byrd ... Sandy Carver

David Krumholtz ... Francis Davenport

Jamey Sheridan ... Jim Carver
Kate Burton ... Dorothy Franklin
William Cain ... Ted Shackley
Michael Cumpsty ... Philip Edwards

Maia Danziger ... Mrs. Gadd

Katie Holmes ... Libbets Casey
Michael Egerman ... Pharmacist
Christine Farrell ... Marie Earle

Glenn Fitzgerald ... Neil Conrad

Allison Janney ... Dot Halford
Jonathan Freeman ... Ted Franklin

Barbara Garrick ... Weather Reporter

Dennis Gagomiros ... Stephen Earle (as Dennis Gazomiros)

John Benjamin Hickey ... Mark Boland
Tom Flagg ... Train Conductor
Byron Jennings ... Pierce Sawyer
Miles Marek ... Mr. Gadd

Colette Kilroy ... Sari Steele
Ivan Kronenfeld ... Jack Moellering

Daniel McDonald ... Weatherman
Donna Mitchell ... Maria Conrad
Barbara Neal ... Helen Wentworth
Nancy Opel ... Claudia White
Larry Pine ... Dave Gorman
Wendy Scott ... Pharmacy Attendant
Marcell Rosenblatt ... Mikey's Teacher
Evelyn Solann ... Woman in Pharmacy

Jessica Stone ... Marge

Sarah Thompson ... Beth
Scott Wentworth ... Paul's Teacher
Robert Westenberg ... Rob Halford (as Rob Westenberg)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Colleen Camp ... Dr. Pasmier (uncredited)
Bill McIntyre ... Libbet's Doorman (uncredited)

Joe O'Connor ... Marty (uncredited)

Courtney Peldon ... Billie (uncredited)
Louise Yanofsky ... Drug Store Clerk (uncredited)
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Directed by
Ang Lee 
 
Writing credits
Rick Moody (novel)

James Schamus (writer)

Produced by
Alysse Bezahler .... associate producer
Anthony Bregman .... associate producer
Ted Hope .... producer
Ang Lee .... producer
James Schamus .... producer
 
Original Music by
Mychael Danna 
 
Cinematography by
Frederick Elmes 
 
Film Editing by
Tim Squyres 
 
Casting by
Avy Kaufman 
 
Production Design by
Mark Friedberg 
 
Art Direction by
Bob Shaw 
 
Set Decoration by
Stephanie Carroll 
 
Costume Design by
Carol Oditz 
 
Makeup Department
Michal Bigger .... makeup artist
Kathryn Bihr .... assistant makeup artist (as Katie Bihr)
Linda DeVetta .... makeup artist: Ms. Weaver
Francis Kohler .... assistant makeup artist
Aaron F. Quarles .... hair stylist
James Sarzotti .... makeup artist
Donna Spahn .... assistant hair stylist
 
Production Management
Alysse Bezahler .... unit production manager
Anthony Bregman .... post-production supervisor
Nancy Kriegel .... production supervisor
Melissa Marr .... assistant unit manager
Kelly Miller .... post-production supervisor
John Rath .... assistant production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Rip Murray .... first assistant director (as James W. Murray Jr.)
Brian O'Kelley .... second assistant director
Linda Perkins .... second second assistant director
Lisa M. Rowe .... second assistant director (as Lisa Rowe)
Steve Wertimer .... first assistant director (as Stephen Wertimer)
 
Art Department
Wally Adee .... assistant property master
Paige Bailey .... art department coordinator
Robert Barnett .... camera scenic artist
Pedro Barquin .... greensperson
Eric Bart .... scenic artist
Stephen Barth .... scenic artist (as Steve Barth)
Judson Bell .... carpenter
Billy Bishop .... set dresser
James Brown .... construction grip
Stephen Caldwell .... scenic artist (as Steve Caldwell)
Deborah Canfield .... set dresser (as Debbie Canfield)
Kelly Canfield .... key set dresser
Scott Canfield .... set dresser
Marshall Carbee .... scenic artist
Joe Casillo .... construction grip
Thomas Costabile .... construction coordinator
Jack Coyle .... carpenter
Guido DeCurtis .... greensperson
Katy Dilkes .... scenic foreperson
Robert Dillon .... carpenter
Lauren Doner .... scenic artist
Peter K. Dunbar .... leadman (as Peter Dunbar)
Judith Evans .... scenic artist (as Judy Evans)
John Farina .... construction grip
John D. Farrell .... carpenter (as John Farrell)
James C. Feng .... assistant art director (as James Feng)
Charlie Foster .... set dresser
Edward Gangloff .... carpenter (as Ed Gangloff)
Emily Gaunt .... key scenic shop person
Michael Greene .... scenic artist
Alisa Grifo .... art department assistant
John Harajovic .... set dresser
Christopher Hébel .... scenic artist
James Hoff .... scenic foreperson
Claude Horstmann .... carpenter (as Claude Horstman)
Ashalon Jones .... construction grip
Richard M. Jones .... scenic artist (as Richard Jones)
Eugene Kagansky .... scenic artist
Paul D. Kelly .... assistant art director (as Paul Kelly)
Tina Khayat .... assistant to production designer
Arcady Kotler .... scenic artist
Rob Landoll .... shop production assistant
David Levine .... shop electric
Jim Lillis .... on-set dresser
Elizabeth Linn .... charge scenic
Nicholas Lundy .... assistant art director
Sean Lynch .... greensperson
E. Reynold Maher .... scenic artist
Vietta Maher .... scenic artist
Mark Mann .... construction foreman
Etienne Martine .... set dresser
Brick Mason .... storyboards
John 'Butch' McCarthy .... stand-by greensperson
John McHugh .... carpenter
Darius Menard .... greensperson
Michael Miles .... scenic artist
Monique Mitchell .... construction grip
Micheal Murphy .... set dresser (as Michael Murphy)
Patrick Murphy .... set dresser
Don Nace .... scenic artist (as Don Nance)
Peter E. Nauyokas .... set dresser (as Peter Nauyokas)
Jennifer Alex Nickason .... assistant set decorator (as Jennifer Alex)
Christopher J. Noonan .... key carpenter
Thomas Nousias .... scenic shop person (as Tom Noucias)
Brandon Odegaard .... shop electric
Myron Odegaard .... shop electric
John David Paul .... scenic artist (as John Paul)
Jesse Pelikan .... shop production assistant (as Jesse Peliken)
Mark Peltzer .... property master
Graydon Pihlaja .... greens foreperson
Mario Presterone .... set dresser
Gennaro Proscia .... carpenter (as Genarro Proscia)
Vincent Reilly .... construction grip
Paul Richards .... set dresser
Chris Ruzek .... scenic shop person
Will Scheck .... lead greensperson
Rob Schmitt .... key construction grip (as Robert W. Schmitt)
Barret Schumacher .... set dresser
Cheryl Stewart .... scenic artist
Jonathan Tessler .... additional props
Robin Thomas .... art department assistant
Dominic Toto .... greensperson
Billy Van .... construction grip best boy
Frank Vigilante .... construction grip
Thomas White .... carpenter
Mary Wigmore .... art department assistant
Paul Wilson .... set dresser
Kelly T. Winn .... set dresser (as Kelly Winn)
Travis Wright .... on-set dresser
Frances Catalano .... best boy construction grip (uncredited)
Carlos Menéndez .... set designer (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
David Boulton .... adr recordist: Sound One
Tim J. Carroll .... stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Kam Chan .... foley editor
Benjamin Cheah .... assistant sound editor
Marko A. Costanzo .... foley artist (as Marko Costanzo)
Chris Fielder .... assistant sound editor
Eugene Gearty .... sound effects designer
Mark Goodermote .... boom operator
Ghretta Hynd .... sound coordinator
Frank Kern .... foley editor
Andrew Kris .... adr recordist: Spin Cycle Post, Inc. (as Andy Kris)
Drew Kunin .... sound mixer
Julie Lindner .... assistant sound editor
Marissa Littlefield .... adr editor
Gasuza Lwanga .... apprentice sound editor
Todd Milner .... assistant sound editor
Glenfield Payne .... assistant sound editor
Bruce Pross .... foley supervisor
Fred Rosenberg .... dialogue editor
Reilly Steele .... sound re-recording mixer: Sound One
Philip Stockton .... supervising sound editor
Allan Zaleski .... sound effects intern (as Alan Zaleski)
Dustin DuPilka .... assistant foley artist (uncredited)
Steve Hamilton .... post-production sound designer (uncredited)
Bill Hermans .... second engineer (uncredited)
V.B. Paravati .... sound transfer technician (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
George Drohan .... special effects
Edward Drohan III .... special effects
Edward Drohan IV .... special effects
Greg Hagler .... special effects
Daniel Ottesen .... special effects
John Ottesen .... special effects supervisor
Ron Ottesen .... special effects (as Ronald R. Ottesen Jr.)
Rich Pashayan .... special effects
John Rapp .... special effects
Theodore Suchecki .... special effects (as Ted Suchecki)
 
Visual Effects by
Randall Balsmeyer .... visual effects supervisor: Balsmeyer & Everett (as Randy Balsmeyer)
Kathy Kelehan .... visual effects producer: Balsmeyer & Everett
Daniel Leung .... digital compositing supervisor: Balsmeyer & Everett
Gary Maxwell .... train miniatures: Sessums Engineering
Michael O. Sajbel .... train miniatures: Sessums Engineering (as Michael Sajbel)
Jack Sessums .... train miniatures: Sessums Engineering
Matt McDonald .... digital compositor (uncredited)
Alan McFarland .... miniature train lighting effects (uncredited)
 
Stunts
G.A. Aguilar .... stunt coordinator
Jill Brown .... stunt double
Douglas Crosby .... stunt coordinator
Danny Downey .... stunt double: Elijah Wood
Lizzie Olesker .... stunts
Susan Trout .... stunts
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Robert Blair .... rigging electrician (as Bob Blair)
Joseph Bruck .... additional electrician (as Joseph R. Bruck)
Peter C. Caldwell .... additional electrician
Tony Campenni .... company grip
John Cardoni .... rigging gaffer
Andrew Casey .... Steadicam operator (as Andy Casey)
Adger W. Cowans .... still photographer (as Adger Cowans)
Joe Donohue III .... company grip (as Joe Donahue)
James W. Finnerty .... key grip (as Jimmy Finnerty)
Jamie Gallagher .... electrician
Michael Gallart .... electrician
Michael Gallart .... lamp operator
Adam Gilmore .... second assistant camera
Ed Gleason .... video assist operator
Brad Goss .... dolly grip
Dennis Green .... 24 frame video operator
Andy Harris .... first assistant camera
Timothy Healy .... electrician
Gary Hildebrand .... best boy electric
Bill Jones .... company grip
Tom Kerwick .... best boy grip
David La Rue .... company grip (as Dave La Rue)
Steven E. Lawler .... additional grip
Jonathan Lumley .... gaffer
James McMillan .... rigging grip (as Jim McMillan Sr.)
Jim McMillan Jr. .... key rigging grip
Tim McMillan .... rigging grip
Andy Niceberg .... additional electrician
Phil Oetiker .... camera operator
Kabkeo Phothivongsa .... rigging electrician
Frank Prinzi .... photographer: second unit
Patrick Quinn .... camera loader
Rick Raphael .... Steadicam operator (as Rick Rafael)
Donald W. Schreck .... best boy rigging electric
John Sosenko .... camera operator
Paul Steinberg .... additional electrician
Peter Walts .... rigging gaffer
William M. Weberg .... company grip (as Bill Weberg)
Barry Wetcher .... still photographer
Perry Wolberger .... rigging electrician
Chris Zizzo .... rigging electrician
Andrew Casey .... camera operator: "b" camera (uncredited)
R. Derek Keener .... electrician (uncredited)
David Larue .... grip (uncredited)
William MacGhee .... rigging electrician (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Judie Fixler .... extras casting
Julie Lichter .... casting associate
Alyson Silverberg .... extras casting coordinator
David H. Kramer .... adr voice casting (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Frank Alberino .... wardrobe intern
Laurie Buehler .... seamstress (as Laurie J. Buehler)
Anastasia Leopold .... wardrobe production assistant
Elizabeth Shelton .... associate costume designer
Melissa Stanton .... wardrobe supervisor (as Melissa Adzima-Stanton)
Thomas Stokes .... wardrobe supervisor (as Tom Stokes)
Leslie Yarmo .... assistant to costume designer
Tonya Leonard .... wardrobe (uncredited)
Kathy Oberlin .... costume constructor (uncredited)
 
Editorial Department
Yasmine Amitai .... second assistant editor
Glen Basner .... post-production assistant
Gloria Kaiser .... color timer: Technicolor
Ross Katz .... post-production assistant
Susan Littenberg .... first assistant editor
Ian Silverstein .... second assistant editor
Patricia Sztaba .... negative cutter
Stan Sztaba .... negative cutter
 
Music Department
Bill Brennan .... musician: Gamelan music
Christopher Dedrick .... conductor
Mark Duggan .... musician: Gamelan music
Brad Haehnel .... music score mixer: Manta Eastern Sound
Brad Haehnel .... music score recordist: Manta Eastern Sound
Daniel Cecil Hill .... musician: North American native flutes
Jamie Hopkings .... orchestrator
Paul Houle .... musician: Gamelan music
Blair Mackay .... musician: Gamelan music (as Blair MacKay)
Patrick Mullins .... music editor (as Pat Mullins)
Alex Steyermark .... music supervisor
Maisie Weissman .... assistant to music supervisor
Ron Korb .... musician: flute (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Bob Anderson .... driver
Frank Appedu .... driver
Ed Blacknick .... driver
John Brady .... driver
Theodore Brown Jr. .... driver (as Ted Brown Jr.)
Jack Buckman .... driver
Jim Cablusky .... driver
Matt Calley .... driver
Michael Canosa .... driver (as Mike Canosa)
Steve Chartrand .... driver
James H. Chlebowski .... driver
Thomas Colavito .... driver (as Tom Colavito)
Richard Euell .... driver
Robert Featherstone .... driver (as Bobby Featherstone)
Al Gardner .... driver
Danny Houghton .... driver (as Dan Houghton)
Jacqueline Hurd .... picture car production assistant (as Jacquie Hurd)
Tony Ingrassellino .... driver
Paul Kane .... driver
Leonard Luizzi .... driver (as Lenny Luizzo)
Joe Mallon .... driver
Robert Martini .... driver (as Bobby Martini)
George Moran .... driver
Robert Morgan .... driver
Regis Mullaney .... driver (as Regis J. Mullaney)
Jimmy Nugent .... transportation captain
Kevin O'Neil .... driver
Danny Poseidento .... driver
Bob Rohr .... driver
Frank Scarvy .... driver
Kevin Smith .... driver
Mike Stowe .... driver
Ray Sullivan .... driver
Dan Thelen .... driver
John Uberti .... driver
James Williams .... driver
Frank Young .... driver
 
Other crew
Ryan Allen .... production secretary
Declan Baldwin .... location supervisor: Feature Line
Jenn Blais .... set production assistant (as Jennifer M. Blais)
Shannon Bowen .... location coordinator
Beth Boyd .... production coordinator (as Beth A. Boyd)
Craig Cannold .... auditor
Danny Canton .... day generator operator (as Daniel Canton)
Jean Castelli .... researcher (as Jean-Christophe Castelli)
Wendy Cohen .... clearance
Wendy Cohen .... product placement
John M. Craig .... set production assistant (as John Craig)
Mary Cybulski .... script supervisor
Stephen Dweck .... jeweller: Ms. Weaver
Chris Elam .... office production assistant
Paul D. Fischer .... film runner (as Paul Fischer)
Laura Franses .... location production assistant
Theresa Giardino Finnerty .... payroll accountant
Jeanne Gilliland .... utility person
Rhona Gordon .... tutor
David Graham .... location scout
Dean Haspiel .... office production assistant
Janet Henry .... location production assistant
Jeff Hill .... unit publicist
Christine Hoppe .... accounting assistant
Susanna Horng .... assistant: Mr. Lee
Joyce Hsieh .... post-production accountant
Apoorva Lakhia .... set production assistant (as Apoovra Lakhia)
David Lee .... assistant: Mr. Ang Lee
Millys Lee .... unit publicist
Deanna Leslie .... set production assistant
Sig Libowitz .... assistant: Mr. Schamus
Johnny Lu .... jeweller
Gillian Malone .... craft service
David Martin .... assistant location manager
Greg McHale .... location scout
Ross Miller .... insurance
Tracy Moore .... set intern
Edmund Nardone .... projectionist
Santiago Navila .... assistant: Mr. Schamus
Stuart Nicolai .... office production assistant
Karin Nystrom .... tutor
Bryan O'Cain .... production intern
Hetakaisa Paarte .... assistant: Mr. Hope
Virginia Plath .... assistant stage manager
Martina Pozzi .... craft service
Libby Richman .... assistant production coordinator
Olimpia T. Rinaldi .... assistant auditor
Allison Russo .... set production assistant (as Alison Russo)
Mike S. Ryan .... assistant location manager
Deidre Schrowang .... office liaison: New York City
Amy Shultz .... insurance (as Amy Schulz)
Ashley W. Sieg .... location production assistant (as Ashley Sieg)
Gregory J. Smith .... set production assistant (as Gregory John Smith)
José Tejada .... parking coordinator (as Jose Tejada)
Jessica Weigmann .... assistant: Mr. Schamus
Matt Whitcher .... office production assistant
Eric David Zoback .... stage manager (as Eric Zoback)
Colin Aguiar .... assistant: Mychael Danna (uncredited)
Eddy Collyns .... location scout (uncredited)
Jay Horne .... location scout (uncredited)
Claudia Lewis .... production executive (uncredited)
David Ray Martin .... assistant location manager (uncredited)
Vernon Rodriquez .... parking assistant (uncredited)
Nancy L. Roth .... location manager (uncredited)
Bill Timoney .... adr loop group (uncredited)
Aron Warner .... production executive (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Fritzi Ahadi .... special thanks: art contributions
Dante Brown .... special thanks: Harlem Tennis Center
Claude Cargill .... special thanks: Harlem Tennis Center
Gayle Carpenter .... special thanks: State of New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs
Rico Fanseco .... special thanks: art contributions
Robert Fegues .... special thanks: State of New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs
Ellsworth Kelly .... special thanks: art contributions
Mon Levinson .... special thanks: art contributions
Roy Lichtenstein .... special thanks: art contributions
Peter Max .... special thanks: art contributions
Peter G. Murphy .... special thanks: administative officer, New Canaan, Connecticut
LeRoy Neiman .... special thanks: art contributions (as Leroy Neiman)
Robert Rauschenberg .... special thanks: art contributions
Jack Rhodes Sr. .... acknowledgment: supplier of "Divorce Court"
Jodi Scherer .... special thanks: art contributions
Lieutenant Stephen Seiter .... special thanks: State of New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs
George W. Trendle Jr. .... acknowledgment: supplier of "Green Hornet"
Sherle Wagner .... special thanks: art contributions
Cecil K. Watkins .... special thanks: Harlem Tennis Center
Lieutenant Eric Weiner .... special thanks: State of New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for sexuality and drug use, including scenes involving children, and for language.
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
112 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Iceland:12 | Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Netherlands:12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Italy:T | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R
Filming Locations:
Greenwich, Connecticut, USA more
Company:
Fox Searchlight Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Although events in the film occur in November, filming actually began in the late spring. This is evidenced by an abundance of greenery in the exterior shots. more
Goofs:
Continuity: At the beginning the man who gets off the train before Paul Hood slips on the ice. In the end, when this sequence is repeated he does not slip. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Train Conductor: Good morning ladies and gentlemen. This train, originating from New York's Grand Central Station, is back in service. Next stop will be New Canaan, Connecticut. New Canaan, Connecticut next stop.
Paul Hood: [narration] In issue 141 of the Fantastic Four, published in November, 1973, Reed Richards had to use his anti-matter weapon on his own son, who Aannihilus has turn into the Human Atom Bomb. It was a typical predicament for the Fantastic Four, because they weren't like other superheroes...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Tobey Maguire/Sisqo (#25.17)" (2000) more
Soundtrack:
Compared To What more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
15 out of 17 people found the following comment useful:-
not the kind of film to watch right before you want to go to sleep; one of the best films of 97, 2 February 2006
9/10
Author: JackGattanella from United States

The summary statement I write I mean as a compliment. In short, this film will keep you up thinking about the characters, the whole swarm of tragedy sewn into these characters, as it is a true look at American familial dysfunction. It's also the Chinese-directed cousin of American Beauty- in some ways just as compelling (if maybe a little more heavy on the metaphors)- and by the end of it, however down and drained the film made me feel, I knew I'd seen my favorite Ang Lee film thus far. He takes the subject matter- the script by James Schamus, and the nuanced performances- and makes it so that we feel for these people, however trapped into their upper-middle class walks of life. The ice theme does work for a good lot of the film, and even when it gets hammered down to the line, I was still moved by how these families intertwined, the bleakness but also the little bits of light coming through.

In fact, the film shares a good deal with American Beauty- two families, both fairly screwed up, with infidelity, drugs, procrastination, young lust, and a certain pining for the old days going steadily down the tubes. One family are the Hooods (Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Christina Ricci and Tobey MaGuire); the other are the Carvers (Sigourney Weaver, Elijah Wood, Henry Czerny, and Adam Hann-Byrd). Either side has their share of dilemmas, psychological cramps, and just total aimlessness. The performances from all are unique and quiet, desperate, and at least a few (in tune with the 'ice' theme), in particular Weaver, Wood and Allen, are numbed. Basically, there isn't as much story as there is attention to the fates and parallels of the characters.

Among the lot though, Kline has some of his best work to date, with his controlling demeanor masking something very insecure; Hann-Byrd and Wood are totally complimentary, so to speak, in that they work well at being brothers of the same weird seed; Allen, not much more to say that hasn't been said by others; and even smaller roles filled by Katie Holmes and David Krumholtz are worth the time. There stories all lead up to the big chunk of the story (ala the 'day you die' stuff in American Beauty), and at times it's painful, cringe-inducing, darkly amusing, and at the end hitting notes that had me eyes go wide. And the ending, when it comes, is sentimental, but never unrealistic. This is the kind of tone that Lee would also use for Brokeback Mountain, but here it contains even more depth and intrigue into the dysfunction, ironically in only the span of a few days vs. the span of twenty years in Brokeback.

You may, whether you like the film or not, will want to talk about it once it is over. It of course can be argued, and I would argue it, that the 'ice' motif is pushed to as far as it can go, and then some (then again it IS called the Ice Storm). But in contrast, another minor theme is handled superbly, involving the Fantastic Four comic book that Maguire's character gives some narration about. By looking through an abstract of a comic book, there's some extra meaning that can be put into the film, the power that can be taken away from superheroes as well as the enclosed New Canaan citizens. Along with some great 70's era period use- the Nixon/Watergate stuff adding another layer to the frustration (leading up to a truly disturbing moment involving a Nixon mask)- including music, creates a very impressive atmosphere. Maybe I'll check out the film again, when it's not past midnight, though even after hours the film packs a small wallop. 9.5/10

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