--- title: "The Ice Storm: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-ice-storm/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-ice-storm" critics_score: 80 critics_reviews: 6 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Ice Storm (1997): what the critics said Critics' score 80 from 6 reviews: 6 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are consistently positive about The Ice Storm, with praise centred on Ang Lee’s controlled direction, the ensemble performances and the precise recreation of 1970s suburban life. Most critics find the portrait of family dysfunction both perceptive and quietly affecting, with social satire sharpening its account of frustrated desires and generational strain. The script and period detail draw repeated approval for making the families’ awkwardness and hypocrisy feel specific to their surroundings. The differences concern how close the film lets its audience get. The New Yorker finds its neutral, clinical approach intelligent but emotionally remote, while other reviews find sadness and empathy in that restraint. The AV Club admires the performances and period detail but considers the metaphors heavy-handed. The spread is otherwise narrow: reservations qualify a broadly shared appreciation of the film’s wit, careful observation and refusal of easy reassurance. ## Empire — Angie Errigo Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic praises Ang Lee's outstanding direction in adapting the novel, highlighting the film's sharp social satire, universal details of longing, and seamless tonal shift from farce to profound tragedy, supported by a dazzling ensemble cast. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/ice-storm-review/) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Rating B+. 19 March 2008. The film captures the awkward transition of the American family in 1973 suburbs, highlighting hypocrisy in the counterculture's influence more than loose morals. It excels in strong performances, period detail, and a poignant coda despite heavy-handed metaphors. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-ice-storm-1798203946) ## Slant Magazine — Arthur Ryel-Lindsey Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 March 2008. Ang Lee's film examines tradition versus change and societal expectations versus individual desires through intertwined family conflicts in 1973 Connecticut. It succeeds as a period piece thanks to Lee's outsider perspective, strong period recreation, and masterful handling of the storm-night climax. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-ice-storm/) ## Time Out — GA Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 7 January 2015. The critic calls the film a gem of witty, perceptive observation in its tragi-comic portrait of two Connecticut families. They single out the meticulous script, strong performances, elegant direction and spot-on recreation of early-1970s fads and socio-political atmosphere. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-ice-storm-1) ## The New Yorker — Daphne Merkin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 September 1997. The film is intelligent but curiously remote in documenting suburban anomie and family dysfunction without assigning blame. Its scrupulously neutral, clinical approach makes it intriguing though somewhat baffling. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1997/09/29/family-matters-6) ## The Independent — Ryan Gilbey Rating HHHH. 7 February 1998. The critic finds the film a compelling, bleak portrait of dysfunctional families in 1970s suburbia, praising its European-style acting, haunting score, and refusal to offer easy resolutions or transformations. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/film-reviews-1143338.html) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin 26 September 1997. Festival review. The critic praises the film's haunting capture of 1970s suburban unease and social upheaval. Particular empathy is shown for the women characters through strong performances. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/26/movies/film-festival-review-suburbanites-pure-as-driven-slush.html) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy 25 May 1997. Festival review. The film is a well-observed and deftly performed examination of upper-middle-class emotional deep freeze, an intelligent adult drama. Strong ensemble acting and insightful look at family and generational strains are highlighted. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/the-ice-storm-1117329736/) ## Eye for Film — Donald Munro Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 November 2025. The critic finds the film a gentle, sad and witty portrait of 1970s suburban malaise and family dysfunction. The sharp script, strong performances (especially from the younger cast) and especially the stunning cinematography of the frozen landscape are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-ice-storm-1997-film-review-by-donald-munro) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-ice-storm.md