Family life in 1970s suburbia has been depicted in many ways, most popularly by that squeaky-clean team of eight known as the Bradys. Issues such as sex and drugs were out of the question as their morals exceeded the length of their bellbottoms and braids.
Director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) took a different route with his 1997 film The Ice Storm, an adaptation of Rick Moody's novel. The result is a far more satisfying one than the half-hour show ever managed to deliver.
Kevin Kline and Joan Allen star in this critically acclaimed story about the ailing relationships between family and friends, and one Thanksgiving break when everyone commits the ultimate sins.
Kline is Ben Hood, Allen's husband, and the father of their two seemingly happy teenagers, whose family lives a quiet and comfortable life in New England.
All seems well until we learn that Ben is having an affair with the family's close friend and neighbor, Janey Carver, played by Sigourney Weaver.
Christina Ricci is brilliant as the curious teenager Wendy Hood. And she is no Marcia Brady.
With a sexual pre-occupancy that outdoes that of her father, she experiments with her raging hormones on Janey's two sons but never seems to be tainted by the consequences.
Rising actor Tobey Maguire portrays 16-year old Paul Hood, the son and brother of these two complex and confused characters.
Aware that his family is far from perfect, Paul spends his time dabbling with pharmaceuticals and lusting for a classmate played by Katie Holmes. Dawson's Creek fans beware: this is not the innocent Joey Potter to whom you have become accustomed, but that doesn't make her any less appealing.
The endless array of secrets and lies culminates in one night when a wintry storm hits the town.
As the ice falls, more sins are committed and the truth is eventually revealed, leaving both families frozen in the tragic aftermath.
Details of the early '70s are precisely painted throughout the entire film, including the obvious over-the-top clothing and tacky furniture.
More importantly, The Ice Storm presents countless issues of the time, including war and politics, adding a touch of dark comedy.
In one scene, we hear Wendy refer to her father as a "fascist" because he tells her to go to bed, and she insists upon voicing her opinion on the Republican Party.
The youngest Carver boy spends his time shooting model airplanes and playing soldier.
The cold relationships between family members, spouses and neighbors that are depicted in The Ice Storm are strikingly similar to those portrayed in 1999's American Beauty.
However, the latter received attention that the other unfortunately lacked. In 1997 a famous ship sailed into moviegoers' hearts, becoming the most popular film of all time, and leaving The Ice Storm with a very chilly box office draw.
Attention is overdue.
With every performance worthy of respect, the film will leave you questioning human decency. The characters will intrigue you with their indiscretions.
Better yet, The Ice Storm will leave you with a better idea of the reality of an era, as opposed to the countless traditional TV sitcoms that we have all adored for years.
