The Ice Storm

The Ice Storm

David DuPuy

Director Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm: a boring movie about a meteorological event on a 1973 New Canaan, CT November night or a strong existential statement of the human condition? Either Ang Lee or contemporary society is going to have some explaining to do.

On Thanksgiving break highschooler Paul Hood (Tobey Maguire) returns from boarding school home to see his family, Father (Kevin Kline), Mother (Joan Allen), and Sister (Christina Ricci). The familial relations appear ordinary, but bit by bit the self-destructive actions of the parents are mirrored by the children: infidelity; drinking to facilitate sexual intimacy; shoplifting; and the inability to communicate honestly and directly about oneself.

Novelist Rick Moody carries on the tradition of the family drama, as well as co-screenwriter James Schamus. The Ice Storm has the (eventual) emotional weight of Ordinary People, except this film chronicles events leading to a tragedy rather than dealing with its ramifications. Every scene both builds and reveals the world which the characters create and inhabit. The parent’s and children’s actions mirror each other in their infidelity, shoplifting, alcohol abuse, and the profound inability to communicate honestly and directly. Their characterological states are finally mirrored by the physical environment of an ice storm, and beautifully rendered by cinematographer Frederick Elmes. One character, Mikey Carver (Elijah Wood), feels safe and liberated in this sterile environment, donning boots and jacket to explore it. The consequence of his celebration within it reflects back on the makers of his world.

Both as a student of the human condition and as a filmgoer The Ice Storm is worth watching.