The Ice Storm

Note: Originally written in July 2014

It's almost strange to fathom that our generation of movie buffs has never gone gaga over Ang Lee's work. But if taken serious note, one can't help but come up with serious adulation for his work. In this one, "The Ice Storm", quite like his magnum opus, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", Lee's focus is entirely on the characters, their foolishness, the ironies of their lives, and the vulnerabilities. "The Ice Storm" plays out rather calmly yet subtly elevates tension that hints at the impending tragedy. Lee focuses his camera on the ambient details, the actors, and the atmosphere in quick succession deftly juxtaposing the shots for great metaphorical effect. The cast is hefty and displays good talent. A discussion on IMDB remarks on how cold and unlikeable the characters in this flick were. To make a movie with empathize-able characters is one feat, to make one where you dislike the characters yet care for them is cinematic mastery.

Check out more on the flick at IMDB and Letterboxd.