Review of The Ice Storm (1997) by Brett C — 18 Oct 2014

Review In A Nutshell:

Thrice now, Ang Lee has struck me in places I never knew existed; first with Life of Pi, then with Brokeback Mountain, now with The Ice Storm. I am now going to provide in this entry a thorough review, as this is another one of those films that I need time and another viewing to fully appreciate its narrative and thematic intentions; everywhere I look during The Ice Storm's running time is filled with symbolism or metaphors and it is a lot to take in a single and initial sitting. Though I am still taking The Ice Storm in, I cannot deny that this film was marvellous. It featured identifiable characters and issues that are both fascinating and thought provoking. It also features simple but thematically deep dialogue; it does not serve to push the plot forward as Ang Lee, the director, has already achieved that through the movements and decisions of its characters. The dialogue serves as a hook to grab our attention, and it is up to us whether we want to resist or give into it. The Ice Storm is a film that requires patience from its audience, it takes its time revealing the secrets and drives of its multiple characters, but Lee does not make it entirely difficult to sit through; he always presents something that would want us to leap into the next scene, hoping to learn more and more about them. The film features a dynamic cast, with each member showcasing the best of their abilities, particularly in their ability to evoke drama without having to show it forcefully and abundantly; I guess some of that credit also goes to Ang Lee for being able to handle and focus on multiple actors and uniformly give each one the direction that their role demands. The only reason why I refused to push my score up any higher as I am still suffering from the aftershocks of the film's complexity. It would take me a couple of days and viewings to entirely digest it. If future experiences of this film would remain positive, then this film without a doubt would reach perfection under my eyes.