Another depressing slice of life insight into the darkness of human fallenness by renowned Hong Kong Director, Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain). The Ice Storm is literal and figurative, as the world of a small Connecticut town freezes over during thanksgiving break, it’s citizens moral centers decline into the chaos, disrupting any sense of the small town static lifestyle.
An ensemble cast that features Kevin Kline (Dave), Sigourney Weaver (Alien), Tobey McGuire (Spider-man) and Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings), we see each character begin to seek fulfillment. I think that that’s what all of Lee’s movies are about, about feeling cut off, and disconnected, and the loss inside trying to find a home with the external, and that only drives it towards an abysmal darkness of further loss.
Some of the scenes are bizarre and the character of the film reflects on the time period, as it is set in 1983, and the local news, which provides a back drop and ambient noise is concerning the Nixon affairs. The whole thing spells hollow, as in, the existances of these people are hollow, because they seek fulfillment in materialism, and various sins. They don’t want reality, and the minister’s character is confusing, but a back drop of German philosophy eliminates any hope there might be in the truth.
In the end, there is only an ever deepening sorrow that can unite a family, but only in this life, and only along the path that leads to destruction. A 2, but, don’t watch it alone.
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