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The Ice Storm
1997 113 min France, United States of America R 16+
★7.4
Drama
Director: Ang Lee
📖 Based on the novel
«The Ice Storm»
byRick Moody
Trailers
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Description
In the weekend after thanksgiving 1973 the Hood family is skidding out of control. Then an ice storm hits, the worst in a century.
Budget:
$18M
US Gross:
$8.04M
Worldwide:
$16M
Starring
Kevin Kline
Actor
Joan Allen
Actor
William Cain
Actor
Awards
Cannes Film Festival 1997
— Best Screenplay
BAFTA 1998
— Best Supporting Actress
Cannes Film Festival 1997
— Palme d'Or
Golden Globe 1998
— Best Supporting Actress
BAFTA 1998
— Best Supporting Actress
Key opinion
Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm is widely praised as a masterful, atmospheric, and unflinching examination of suburban malaise, moral decay, and fractured family dynamics in the 1970s. While some viewers find the cold, clinical distance of the characters and the slow-burn narrative challenging to connect with, the film is consistently lauded for its sophisticated direction, evocative cinematography, and strong ensemble performances.
| Cinematography | The cinematography is masterfully executed, using icy, claustrophobic visuals to mirror the internal emotional fractures of the characters. | |
| Direction | Ang Lee provides precise, sophisticated direction that effectively uses natural imagery to serve as a poignant allegory for the disintegration of the American family unit. | |
| Acting | The film features a uniformly strong ensemble cast, with younger actors frequently noted as holding their own alongside seasoned performers. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is recognized for its thematic depth and unflinching portrayal of generational hypocrisy, though some viewers find the characters too detached to elicit traditional empathy. | |
| Pacing | The deliberate, slow-paced tempo is praised by those who appreciate the contemplative atmosphere, while others find it sluggish or emotionally distancing. |