About The Ice Storm (HBO)

The Ice Storm is a 1997 American drama film directed by Ang Lee, based on the novel by Rick Moody. The film takes viewers back to the year 1973 during the Watergate scandal. It revolves around two families - the Hoods and the Carvers. Amid the backdrop of immaculate suburban homes clad in gorgeous fall colors, everything is not as perfect as it seems to be. Parents explore new freedoms and children navigate through their puberty, with a lot of complexity involved in their respective journeys.

Making / Production

Directed by Ang Lee, the film is a critique of American society in the 70s. The production team recreated the authentic feel of the era with careful selection of costume, setting and props.

Actors

• Kevin Kline plays Ben Hood, a man suffering from a middle-age crisis. Kevin plays this role convincingly, revealing a wide spectrum of emotions.
• Joan Allen takes on the role of Elena Hood with grace. She portrays a woman disillusioned by her husband's infidelity and the emotional distance in their marriage.
• Sigourney Weaver stars as Janey Carver, a brutally unemotional woman who's turned off by commitments and seeks solace in sexual conquests.
• Tobey Maguire and Christina Ricci play the roles of Paul Hood and Wendy Hood respectively, displaying the innocence and complexity of adolescents facing the challenges of growing up.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The crashes and the ice storm were shot last. This was done to ensure that, if the actors got injured during the shoot, they would have already filmed their other scenes.
• The book upon which the film is based was one of director's Ang Lee's favorites before he was even approached about directing the film.
• All of Christina Ricci's scenes were shot when she was on summer break from high school.

Awards

The Ice Storm bagged the Best Screenplay Award at the 50th Cannes Film Festival in 1997 where it was also nominated for the Palme d'Or.

Quotes

• "Everything's ahead for you." - Ben Hood
• "Jiminy Cricket!... During Thanksgiving, no less!" - Janey Carver
• "Things are changing so quickly, all around us. It is scary." - Elena Hood

• The music in the movie, composed by Mychael Danna, includes a moody, atmospheric score which underscores the emotional climate of the scenes.
• The soundtrack also features popular songs from the era, like "Too Late to Turn Back Now" by Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose, "I've Got to Be Me" by Sammy Davis Jr. and "Coconut" by Harry Nilsson, reflecting on the state of the characters and story.