I credit the Ice Storm as being one of the first "indie" flicks of my life. I also credit it for changing the way I look at films ever since.
Ang Lee created a dud with Brokeback Mountain but delivered a masterpiece with The Ice Storm.

Typical pretentious, masochistic, liberal "family drama" fable in the tradition of American Beauty and Happy Endings. Moral? Suburban llife sucks, you'll only be miserable, functional families are a myth, and of course Republicans are oddballs. At le... (read more) Typical pretentious, masochistic, liberal "family drama" fable in the tradition of American Beauty and Happy Endings. Moral? Suburban llife sucks, you'll only be miserable, functional families are a myth, and of course Republicans are oddballs. At least it strove for some emotional redemption in the end.

Brilliant in almost every way.

First off, the film was super entertaining and extremely well written. A lot was going on emotionally, but the film was never overwhelming, convoluted, under or over developed. Each character was given their time and breathing room. The acting was am... (read more) First off, the film was super entertaining and extremely well written. A lot was going on emotionally, but the film was never overwhelming, convoluted, under or over developed. Each character was given their time and breathing room. The acting was amazing, mostly by the younger members of the cast (Wood, Ricci, Maguire, Byrd, even Katie Holmes). This is my fave Ang Lee film thus far (Crouching Tiger was my fave). His use of ice as a symbol throughout and how the title related was very smart/well done/subtle. All in all, it was just a really interesting and entertaining movie with fantastic emotion and just enough deft humor to offset overwhelming bleakness. Probably my fave film of one of my fave sub-genres (basically the hating on white suburbia sub genre). Others include American Beauty (which may be my fave if not this one), Little Children, Lymelife, Revolutionary Road, The Chumscrubber etc.

Unlike Ang Lee's previous films, Ice Storm is more morose and dark tale. It has some flaws, suffering from slow pacing and thin development of its characters. But its genius is the way it relies on subtext, showing Ang Lee at what he does best: breat... (read more) Unlike Ang Lee's previous films, Ice Storm is more morose and dark tale. It has some flaws, suffering from slow pacing and thin development of its characters. But its genius is the way it relies on subtext, showing Ang Lee at what he does best: breathing believability and humanity into his characters

The best film about family so far this year. Just don't think Disney.

Despite its mordant undertones, the film is often satirical and frequently very funny, and quietly observant in its performances.