Quick Review: A Look Back At Some Cold Weather.

I just recently watched The Ice Storm again with my girlfriend the other day, and since I hadn't seen it since it was released in 1997, I had forgotten almost everything in it.

From the director of Hulk and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: it's the feel-good, go-and-give-someone-a-hug-warm-the-cockles-of-your-heart movie!

Within the confines of 1970's America, Spider-Man (Mr. Maguire) comes home for the Thanksgiving holidays to spend time with his family, and learns life lessons that could only happen in the messed-up 70's sexual revolution.  This film about a family living and breathing the the aroma of the Nixon administration and lava lamps is a true example of stellar filmmaking.

Another great ensemble cast is here:  as I mentioned, Spider-Man, Wednesday Addams, Frodo Baggins, Pat Nixon, Otto West, Lieutenant Ellen Ripley, and the future Mrs. Tom Cruise.

The film itself is about discovery, the myriad of problems that are faced in every family, but perhaps to not as harsh extremes.  The Ice Storm sets up its premise, the problems that occur, and their outcomes, whether they be good or bad.  Personally, I think that this is Kevin Kline's greatest performance.  He was awesome in A Fish Called Wanda, but if I had to choose between that comedic tale and this sorrowful story, I would have to pick The Ice Storm.

The movie also proves that up-and-coming stars that could very well have descended into the "Shia" Syndrome, and just ended up being in every BIG movie that comes along because the studio wants a "young hot star" to draw in the teeny-boppers.  (Whoever said that putting that kid from Even Stevens into every movie was a great idea?) 

But here, Maguire, Ricci, Wood, and Holmes all prove that they are all very talented actors.  And all of them would go on to have very successful film careers and not just fade into a drug-induced, Tatum O'Neal obscurity.  

The film's core is about life.  It's about the little things that make us curious, and about certain temptations that we should sometimes not pursue.  Regardless in any event, after seeing the movie for only a second time, I have to say that it is probably Ang Lee's best work.  (And this is coming from one of the 8 people in America who liked his Hulk movie.)

The Ice Storm is a forgotten classic.  I would be willing to bet that if you mention the title to someone and they look at you funny, start telling them who is in it and they'll probably say, "Oh yeah! That one!"  The film is one of those lost treasures, a movie that was overlooked in 1997 (probably because that big sinking-ship movie from the director of Avaturd got all the attention.)  But it's a movie you should seek out and watch at least once.  It's an interesting interpretation of Americana, and how we have changed from the days of Leave It To Beaver and Eisenhower, and have found our way to the days of Archie Bunker and Watergate.   

The Ice Storm, (1997)
Grade: A