Ang Lee`s The Ice Storm looks back at yuppiedom in the early 1970`s. This is an era where the facade of respectability plays havoc with key parties, pot smoking and infidelity...and the next generation. A gloom hangs over the marriage of Ben Hood - Kevin Kline - and Elena - Joan Allen; could it be that she suspects he`s having an affair with their neighbour Janey Carver - Sigourney Weaver? The Hood`s daughter Wendy - Christina Ricci - is beginning to experiment sexually with both the Carver boys - Mikey - Elijah Wood and Sandy - Adam Hann-Byrd. Elena finds herself shoplifting. What`s happening in this small town in Connecticut?
The Ice Storm dispassionately and with great attention to detail builds a compelling sense of impending disaster. These people are lost in every sense of the word, they`re not subject to rules from the past but they`re not quite sure where they want their freedom to take them; and the children, watching Watergate unfold before their eyes on television, have every reason to be cynical about the world they`re inheriting. This brittle and beautiful film is distinguished by an intelligent screenplay by James Schamus based on Rick Moody`s 1994 novel, and also by terrific performances from its ensemble cast. Ang Lee`s approach is measured and non-intrusive. The costume design is a timely reminder of one of the nadirs of the fashion industry
