The Ice Storm written by James SchamusGenre in film theory is adapted from the analysis of literary genre and founded on its structure and narrative elements. Additionally, films are usually classified based on their mood (emotional tone), setting (locale), and thematic topic (issues of the film). All these essential elements are taken into consideration to place the film in a genre convention. As we look closely at a genre film, we typically see complexities that provide awareness of subtle nuances of meaning or feeling, especially in artistic expression or performance. An epitome of a genre convention, whereby some kind of common identity reappears, could therefore classify the film as a drama, which would include its elements such as iconography, plot, thematic elements and cinematic techniques. One drama is exemplified by the film, The Ice Storm (1997) and consequently, with an analysis of its genre, demonstrates David Bordwell's reflexive approach that exposes its social function, relevance, during the period of its production. The Ice Storm is a drama genre film which is more often than not an in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with touching themes such as social class families with middle incomes who find their lives uncontrollable due to experimentation with alcohol, drugs and casual sex . A drama, like this film, is a broad genre because it focuses on characters who are in conflict at particular times in their lives. For example, perhaps this conflict is a divorce like in the movie Kramer v. Kramer (1979), his social function for his days in cinemas had a social function comparable to the mainstream population in that many ascertain the manner of divorce. ... in the center of the card ... both literally and symbolically, as if by a personal storm that the characters have encountered. Furthermore, according to screenwriter James Schamus, the aim was to make the audience laugh: life doesn't always produce oppressive situations and the truth is that we have our bad days, but we also have our good days. Ultimately, the film ultimately gave a taste of reality, a reminder of life lessons, poor choices and then experiencing its consequences, but also a subtle reminder of the lightheartedness that life has to offer. These are the things that indicated the social function of the film genre, simply reality, therefore relativity. Works Cited Hardesty, Mary. DGA (Director's Guild of America) magazine Interview title: "Ang Lee On Directing in an Ice Storm" (1997). June 1, 2011.http://www.industrycentral.net/director_interviews/AL01.HTM