Rating: 
Summary: Wow, what a completely under rated movie
Review: This movie, "The Ice Storm", is completely powerful even in it's quietest of moments. The ending scene is completely... revolutionary. I don't know.It is almost perfect in every shot - either with the beautifully cinematographed kiss scene between two teenagers, or the scene where a young boy balances on an icy diving board, where we sense tragedy coming. It all makes sense in the end. It's a powerful film about confusion - confusion about marriage, confusion about adultry, confusion about who we are, confusion about what we do - and the way director Ang Lee handles it is so sad. It's sad because it was completely underrated. It had an amazing cast - so amazing I was completely stunned. Christina Ricci, Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Elijah Wood, Tobey Maguire, Sigourney Weaver, Katie Holmes... It is a great movie on many levels. And most ultimately it will be different for all viewers; because it's tone isn't for everyone. Rent or watch on TV - but for me, it's a definite buy.
Rating:
Summary: Oscar Sleeps Again!
Review: Director Ang Lee has never made the same movie twice. He's given us a lighthearted gay comedy ("The Wedding Banquet"), Jane Austen fiction ("Sense and Sensibility"), martial arts fantasy ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"), and comic book fare (2003's "The Incredible Hulk"). Here, he challenges the stereotypes and conventions of suburbia in the sorely underrated 1997 drama "The Ice Storm," which is just as witty and incisive as its Oscar winning counterpart "American Beauty." The year is 1973, and the location is New Caanan, Connecticut, where two neighboring families slowly fall apart at the seams due to indifference, infidelity, and neglect. As an ice storm breaks out, tragedy strikes, forcing both families to unite and examine their lives and prior behavior. I saw the storm as some sort of symbol, creating a signal for both families that trouble is on the way, and neither family even realized it. Without revealing spoilers, the cast is near-perfect. Kevin Kline and Joan Allen work well together as a couple struggling with their marriage while raising their kids (which include the usually good Christina Ricci). Sigoruney Weaver is also in fine form, as are Elijah Wood, Tobey Maguire, and Katie Holmes. The film perfectly captures the mood and flavor of the 1970s without making too-obvious references, and director Ang Lee triumphs by moving the film at a good pace. In contrast to "American Beauty," this film may be a wee too dry for some tastes, but the story slowly builds to a climax that's worth your while. Quite simply, this is a "Storm" worth getting caught in, and it merits your attention. One of the best films of the 1990s.
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Summary: one of the best suburban comedy-dramas EVER
Review: while one could easily consider ice storm a companion piece to the great american beauty, the genius film-maker ang lee actually made this film several prior to american beauty & this was unfortunately highly overlooked in 1997 & 1998 sad to say. with the elements of comedy & drama, we get a view of what life could've been like during the seventies right around the holidays. the world outside was going through some great changes, people were searching for their own identities, & family were losing touch with one another. this holiday season, 2 families will be put to the test in terms of loyalty, commitment, & will discover just how they mena to one another. ice storm features some excellent performances from kevin klein, joan & sigourney weaver in addition to some stellar performances from lesser-known actors/actresses around that time such as christina ricci, tobey maguire, & elijah wood. ang lee has crafted a funny, often touching look at a cold world in which we've inhabited based upon the great novel by rick moody. the best scene in my opinion is the scene where kevin klein carries his daughter(played wonderfully by christina ricci) on his back walking through the woods as the snow begins to fall. beautiful & heartwarming scene indeed. another great moment is the thanksgiving dinner where christina ricci's character leads the family into prayer & this is a complete riot. at such an affordable cost on vhs & dvd, why shouldn't you own this little known masterpiece in your library?
Rating:
Summary: One of the great forgotten films of the '90's...
Review: When Ang Lee's dark, brooding exploration of a family living in the 1970's was released in 1997, it had just as much against it as it did for it. For one, it was an American movie made by foreign director Ang Lee, and its depressing dramatic content had the capacity for being a love/hate experience (I recommended this film to a friend, and after viewing it, he called it the worst movie he'd ever seen!). On the other hand, Lee had made arguably the greatest Jane Austen adaptation ever two years previous ("Sense and Sensibility"), and famed critic Gene Siskel added to the buzz by calling it the #1 film of the year. So what's the verdict? Six years later, "The Ice Storm" shimmers in its cinematic precision, emotional complexity, and brutal honesty. In fact, this time period under the direction of Lee has its foreign sensibilities as a benefit, taking more risks and being ultimately more effective. The magnificence of "The Ice Storm" is by no means JUST Ang Lee's doing - stars Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Christina Ricci, and a smoldering Sigourney Weaver make you wonder why this film garnered no Oscar wins or nominations. On the surface, "The Ice Storm" looks to be overtly concerned with the sexual mores of the 1970's, and that is a great part of the film (who can forget Elijah Wood fooling around with Christina Ricci touting a Richard Nixon mask?). What we see, though, is the dramatic arc of two families that clash emotionally, sexually, and physically one weekend while on the verge of a (okay, blatantly metaphorical) ice storm that threatens some and claims the life of one. Lee and his actors handle certain moments with such quirky sensiblilites it's hard to dislike the movie (a scene where Weaver scolds Ricci for playing an "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" game comes to mind). Inevitably, though, the movie's dark overtones take full manifestation of the film in its final act, and that is where the true brilliance of "The Ice Storm" shines through. All of its compelling visuals, foreshadowed themes, and subplots synthesize to its unforgettable, somewhat ambiguous conclusion. THIS is where some people fall off the "Ice Storm" wagon. What is important about the film, though, and what makes it one of the great forgotten films of the '90's, is how the collective experience of the movie is more important than simply its conclusion. Too often, movies rely on a finale to tie up its loose ends and convince the viewer one last time to like it. You'll love "The Ice Storm" early on, for it's an unbelievable pleasure to simply sit and watch great filmmaking happen every frame of this fantastic, overlooked film.
Rating: 
Summary: skilled observation of human condition in a modern setting
Review: Superb filmaking. Another title for this film would be a snapshot of the private lives of the fictionalized Carver and Hood families. Taking place on the day before and night of an Ice Storm, the story gradually unfolds of adolescents sexual experimentation, adults adultery and general odd and peculiar behaviour from otherwise outwardly normal and respectable people. Finely acted out by all the cast, the passionless way of telling the story leads towards the inevitable effectively surprising and somewhat pathetic outburst of emotion at the end. The strange dental anaesthetic-like atmosphere is at first off putting and unsatisfactory, though it is a reasoned and intelligent assumption which allows a clarity with which to observe the characters antics. This film for me was about the bedrock of family in a community and the natural yearnings and forces which pull against the traditional relationships in a society. Dealing in adult themes, slow paced and expertly directed this film provides thoughtful viewing. It's like American Beauty without the comedy or phyisicallity, a more haunting beauty.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Watching--A Superb Movie
Review: Few movies over the past few years have tugged at the very fabric of society and the roles of family. American Beauty, Happiness, and The Ice Storm all manage to relay our own feelings about family in these dramas. The Ice Storm, set in the 1970s age of sex, booze, and political scandels, offers the viewer a look into the lives of two dysfunctional families. The family strife occurring throughout the movie mainly deals with a lack of communication; this and numerous other others happening within the family structure spirals out of control and ends in tragedy the morning following an actual ice storm (the title is not just symbolic). The movie uses humor as well to express its ideas; plus, the acting is great. Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Elijah Wood, Joan Allen, and Christina Ricci all play their roles brilliantly. Christina Ricci portrays her character superbly by playing a curious teenager obsessed with sex.
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Summary: Scenes From the 70's
Review: Ang Lee's "The Ice Storm" is a brilliant, beautiful but haunting film that shows us how the sexual revolution of the 1960s brought about emotional devestation, once it hit the suburbs of the 1970s.This is a portrait of two upper middle class families who are trying to find themselves in the decade of Watergate and Vietnam, where sex, drugs, and infidelity are among the many obstacles to confront them. We are shown adults who act like adolecents and adolecents, who are too quickly trying to become adults.Ang Lee does an excellent job of recreating the era through architecture, music, wardrobe etc., but where he really triumphs is in creating an emotional framework which makes us care about these people.All the actors involved with this movie give near perfect performances.Special mention should be made for actors, Kevin Kline and Joan Allen, who show us a couple, who's relationship is in a downward spiral.How this film failed to get any Academy Award nominations let alone win any Oscars is beyond me.The DVD version of this movie gives us a crisp, clear beautiful picture.The only fault I can find with it is that the special features section is a bit on the skimpy side. Would have loved to have had Ang Lee or some of the actors do a commentary track. I would highly recomend any fan of drama to see this film.
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Summary: Dark,compelling story set amid social changes in the 1970s
Review: This fim is moody and morose, just like the book which I read a few years ago. It now has a talented director (Ang Lee) and some well-known actors (Kevin Kline, Signorey Weaver). The Ice Storm is a metaphor, of course, and the scenes takes place over a Thanksgiving weekend in New Canaan, CT in the early seventies. The parents are experimenting with the sexual revolution. The teenage children and smoking pot and feeling the anti-war movement. The sudden social changes are confusing everybody. The story is dark and compelling and the children come across as more real than the parents. It is a hard film to watch, given its subject. Thought it was was excellent athough I wasn't smiling when the film ended. I was thinking.
Rating:
Summary: Take that 1970's!
Review: The Ice Storm is one of the all time great films in the past 25 years if not 50. Ang Lee, who is gifted beyond fathomable belief, directs another deeply moving drama. Lee is one of the finest directors who can get the most of out of his actors. This film teases you and then slaps you upside down by it's stirring climax. This film is a treat; you're cheating only yourself if you don't see it.
Rating:
Summary: Masterly maintenance of tone in tragi-comedy but very funny
Review: A haunting, yet funny, pitch perfect examination of middle class existence in USA during close of Nixon era fleshed out with a superb ensemble cast with particular strength in the direction of the younger members. Some funny moments include the Carver's 8' wide water bed. Jim returns home to find wife Jaynee (Ms Weaver) reading, fully clothed with back turned on her (distant) side. Jim plops down and Jaynee is almost washed overboard. But he repeats the exercise! This time Ms Weaver is bounced into the air. She is NOT amused! Meanwhile, younger son Sammy is out blowing up his toys or using a cowhide whip, whipping the buds off the nearest rose bush. The older boy, Mikey (Elijah Wood) trying to do it to Wendy (Ms Ricci) who is wearing a Nixon mask as he does so. Wendy has other hilarious scenes as well: when asked to say Grace on Thanksgiving with her mother Helena (Ms Alllen) father Benjamin (Mr Kline) brother Paul (Mr Maguire) in attendance she launches into a political diatribe about how America stole from the Indians, bombed Vietnam whilst gorging themselves at Thanksgiving (etc). And, when her mother starts reminiscing about the innocence of her girlhood days, Wendy says " Are you all right Mum?". Benjamin's (Mr Kline's) attempt to talk about "the birds and the bees" to his 16 year old son Paul is frankly hilarious. True there is one truly squirmmaking scene - the key party - and the ending of the film is immensely moving, certainly, to every parent it must touch a deep chord.
But I think the rich humour of the film is often overlooked. It is at the same time, very funny, very sad, and very moving. One of the few movies I know that is complex enough in tone to be able to be called a tragi-comedy. Brilliant. Brilliant work.
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