sergelamarche The story is crazy from the start. Small injustices leading to more crimes with a pair of very silly women. Not much of it can be true. The mohawks are known for their traffic of cigarettes and other drugs, sold tax-free. Bad enough as is. River crossing is not believable when the icy road is full or water. It's not cold enough south of Québec. Could work as a comedy but did not work for me.

lewiscranstonemail Looking back on 'Frozen River', you can clearly see writer-director, Courtney Hunt has planned and executed it with her own clear, well thought-out intentions. Not only to show a tale of a woman in danger, but to provide a well crafted insight into an American life that many may not be aware of. From life in a Native American reservation to the smuggling of immigrants, it also explores some unexpected themes too. However I found the visuals and atmosphere very very depressing, notably a shot showing popcorn being served for dinner in a grim caravan. Although this is intended, it doesn't make for the greatest cinematic experience. I'd compare the film to the Ken Loach film 'Kes' in its tone and everyman/woman characters, although 'Frozen River' is slightly more uplifting.

Wuchak Melissa Leo and Misty Upham star as Ray Eddy and Lila Littlewolf, two struggling single mothers in 2008's "Frozen River." They form an unfriendly alliance to make money by smuggling illegal immigrants into the USA via the Mohawk Reservation on the border of New York and Quebec. The "frozen river" of the title refers to the frozen St. Lawrence River that they drive across to carry out their activities.This is the kind of drama I really like. Despite the weak acting of some of the Native cast members, the film's like watching real life. The story is slow and maudlin, but it captures your attention till the end. The climax is both low-key and inspiring. I was impressed with how the filmmakers covertly included potent subtexts. This isn't a Christian film by any means, but take note that the story takes place around Christmas time. Lila points out to Ray that she and half the Mohawk tribe are not converts to Christianity and so ignore Christmas and follow their Native beliefs. Later, when something mind-blowing happens, Ray tells Lila that she did something really amazing, but Lila openly admits, "It wasn't me; it was the Creator." I mentioned the questionable acting of some of the Native cast members, but I'd rather have weak acting with real Natives than great acting with people pretending to be Natives.The film runs 97 minutes and was shot in Plattsburgh, New York, Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.GRADE: B+

eric262003 "Frozen River" is a captivating independent movie that stars Oscar winner Melissa Leo as a long-suffering wife named Ray who is wed to gambling addicted husband who has fled the coop shortly before the Holiday Season. On her own raising her adolescent son T.J. (Charlie McDermott) and her toddler son Ricky (James Reilly) and if you think raising two children in squalor is bad, Ray is constantly badgered by creditors. All there is to eat on the menu at their house is powered drinks and potato chips. She works at a dollar store where she's been been contemplating a promotion that has been promised to her for two years. Melissa and her two offspring reside in a trailer that is not in the best of condition. She has dreams for something much more better. Lady luck comes her way when she joins forces with a young Native woman from a Mohawk Nation that rests between the United States and Canadian border. As an alliance they embark on smuggling illegal immigrants into North America. Ray will continue to do it until she has enough dough for a better establishment. But it isn't until very long that the police are hot on her trail. The question is will she be able to make enough to support her family?At first Ray and Lila (Misty Upham) start off as strictly business allies. But as the film progresses, they begin to progressively have faith in each other. The movie also looks at the poverty that's faced in the reservation and how neglected and overlooked Native reservations have faced over the years in both Canada and the United States. This one should be admired by many. It tells a bleak observation that people will do anything to get what they want and it's not always a bad thing. In the case of Ray, she's doing an illegal mission, but not for selfish purposes. There's no explosions or cheap thrills, but the photography is top notch and the character development is so natural, you wouldn't think they were performing. It truly is a gem that is highly recommended.