Wrongly overlooked for the Golden Palm in Cannes. Against the illustrative background of the Watergate scandal we see how the families of Kevin Kline and Joan Allen and of Sigourney Weaver and James Sheridan disfunction. We are in the middle of the ego age, communication and community are underexposed subjects. The mental violence that the characters impose on each other is mainly due to ineptitude. Problems are left undiscussed or get bogged down in awkward starts. The modern society of Kline etc. has thrown overboard the moralism of the previous generation, but intellectual babbling and regulated adultery are not the answer to real emotional needs. Together with his excellent actors, Ang Lee manages to make his drama familiar with a masterful mix of tragedy and humour. Like all significant films, The Ice Storm poses questions about our society. And especially about ourselves.
