The Ice Storm

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2:30

The Ice Storm

R

Released Sep 27, 1997

1h 53m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In the 1970s, an outwardly wholesome family begins cracking at the seams over the course of a tumultuous Thanksgiving break. Frustrated with his job, the father, Ben (Kevin Kline), seeks fulfillment by cheating on his wife, Elena (Joan Allen), with neighborhood seductress Janey (Sigourney Weaver). Their teenage daughter, Wendy (Christina Ricci), dabbles in sexual affairs too -- with Janey's son Mikey (Elijah Wood). The family's strained relations continue to tauten until an ice storm strikes.

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Critics Consensus

Director Ang Lee revisits the ennui-laden decadence of 1970s suburban America with deft humor and gripping pathos.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Nothing less than one of the year's best pictures, a portrait of wealthy Connecticut suburbanites in the 1970s whose lives have no emotional or spiritual rudder.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 28, 2019

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David Ansen

Newsweek

The Ice Storm captures this place, this season, this garish and confused moment in history, with surgical precision...It's Lee's sympathetic detachment that gives the movie its paradoxical power.

Feb 27, 2018

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Vice

Among its many virtues, 'The Ice Storm' keenly captures the sheer, visceral terror of puberty-of grappling with these urges, trying to do what you think you're supposed to, and lashing out when you can't.

Oct 7, 2017

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Even while nailing a specific period in time, it’s still able to transcend its setting and speak directly to modern folks who no longer find aesthetic pleasure in impossibly long sideburns.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 5, 2024

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

In fact, just about everything sexual that happens in the film is dirty, unpleasant, unsatisfying, and led to pain and heartbreak for just about everyone involved (25th anniversary)

Rated: 4/5

Sep 30, 2022

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The Ice Storm contains a deeply human authenticity and willingness to portray, but not resolve, its characters' collective alienation.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 14, 2022

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Leslie G

I read the book before the movie, and was spot on. Perfect snap shot of the time period - both in set design and in tone. Beautifully captured the atmosphere and emotions of a sexually confused, political, post Vietnam time. Heartbreaking yet hopeful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

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Josue R

The movie has a really good cast but it failed to connect with me. I feel that without spoiling the movie certain characters didn’t behave or have the reactions you’d expect in very difficult life situations. Maybe that was the point but it didn’t feel intentional to me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/27/24

Full Review

M B

I saw this movie in the theaters when it first came out. I remember being so bored, maybe I fell asleep. I just gave it another watch, as I couldn't remember a thing about it. Yep, still dreadfully boring. Unbelievable to me that people like this movie. It's a big fat snooze. I give them one star for costumes and location.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/01/24

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Sarah G

Amazing movie. Captures the time beautifully. Excellent performances and beautiful cinematography.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/13/24

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KB B

I'd watched this years ago and now after a 2nd viewing thought it was okay. Watch if there's nothing else on.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

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David F

An ensemble drama about a group of people in Connecticut in the 1970s who interact with one another. There's everyone from teens to middle aged couples in floundering marriages. It all comes together in an ice storm just after Thanksgiving.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/15/23

Full Review

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Ang Lee

Director

Kevin Kline

Ben Hood

Joan Allen

Elena Hood

Henry Czerny

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The Ice Storm: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the 1970s, an outwardly wholesome family begins cracking at the seams over the course of a tumultuous Thanksgiving break. Frustrated with his job, the father, Ben (Kevin Kline), seeks fulfillment by cheating on his wife, Elena (Joan Allen), with neighborhood seductress Janey (Sigourney Weaver). Their teenage daughter, Wendy (Christina Ricci), dabbles in sexual affairs too -- with Janey's son Mikey (Elijah Wood). The family's strained relations continue to tauten until an ice storm strikes.

Director: Ang Lee
Producer: Ted Hope, Ang Lee, James Schamus
Screenwriter: Rick Moody, James Schamus
Distributor: Fox, 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Good Machine, Fox Searchlight
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.9M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1), 35mm

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