MovieChat Forums > The Ice Storm (1997) Discussion > White People The Movie

White People The Movie

posted 8 years ago by shdwfthsun
12 replies | jump to latest

From the outside looking in, the fact that so many white people relate to this movie is kind of disturbing. Certainly explains all the mass shootings lately.

Now look, I don't hate movies solely about white people and their problems, or movies that deconstruct the "typical" American nuclear family. I love American Beauty. But that movie was great for finding a universal truth. The message of this film, on the other hand? I feel left out. I can't understand why people with so much are so sad and lonely, not to mention self-absorbed and self-destructive. It's certainly not explained in the film, yet you guys seem to understand it intrinsically.

I won't call it pretentious just because I cannot relate to anyone or understand the absurdity of their actions because clearly, it's tapped into something. What is that something?

What is it about being well-off and white that makes you feel bored, depressed, and disconnected, and then take life for granted and use people or hurt them? What's the deal?

[–] modica (4169) 4 years ago

I live in that area of Connecticut and I must say that even though I don't necessarily get why the people are all so miserable, the depiction of people here was fairly accurate.

[–] cbsteven (212) a year ago

To answer the last question, money doesn't necessarily make people happy. They were in a position where life was easy, and they were stagnating. Some people like to use their wealth and time to work on other ideas. Others don't. Some people just don't know what to do with their time. 'Ennui' is the word for it. Maybe white people feel that more than others? Maybe that's the common thread - people not knowing where to go next, and not knowing how to get out of it. Maybe afraid to risk their comfort for something new. Which can seem pretentious from the outside.

To reference AB, we all know how Lester deals with his malaise. Chris in Into The Wild is another example. People who find themselves feeling that way, or trying to avoid it.

[–] BOandBarbecue (2264) a year ago

this film is shit.

but it is not shit because it is about white woketard.

it is shit because it is shit.