Frozen River (2008)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Courtney Hunt

Writer (WGA):

Courtney Hunt (written by)

Release Date:

31 October 2008 (Venezuela)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Desperation knows no borders.

Plot:

Takes place in the days before Christmas near a little-known border crossing on the Mohawk reservation between New York State and Quebec...

Plot Keywords:

Mohawk | New York State | Smuggling | Quebec | Border

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 23 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Melissa Leo	...	Ray Eddy
Misty Upham	...	Lila Littlewolf
Charlie McDermott	...	Troy J. 'T.J.' Eddy
Michael O'Keefe	...	Trooper Finnerty
Mark Boone Junior	...	Jacques Bruno
James Reilly	...	Ricky Eddy
Jay Klaitz	...	Guy Versailles
John Canoe	...	Bernie Littlewolf
Dylan Carusona	...	Jimmy
Michael Sky	...	Billy Three Rivers
Gargi Shinde	...	Pakistani Mother
Rajesh Bose	...	Pakistani Father
Azin Jahanbakhsh	...	Pakistani Dealer
Jack Phillips	...	Pakistani Baby
James Phillips	...	Pakistani Baby

MPAA:

Rated R for some language.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | New Zealand:R16 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Sweden:7 | Finland:K-11 | Netherlands:12 | Australia:MA | France:U | Singapore:PG | Ireland:12A

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Company:

Cohen Media Group

Trivia:

Charlie McDermott and James Reilly, who play brothers, are, in actual life, cousins.

Quotes:

Ray Eddy: I think we need to talk about this Troy... come on out. Troy?
[shoots gun]
Ray Eddy: ... I mean it Honey.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2009) (TV)

Female Denizens

Here is a story that dares to explore a side of this country rarely seen in mainstream cinemas, a movie that subtly shows the politics of the drama which females must endure without the support of the male. For years we have admired the resilience of tough mother who endures all kinds of ordeals to protect her own, a woman who fears nothing and conquer all. We have seen honored and represent a political or ecological affiliation in films like "Norma Rae" and "Silkwood". Yes, they are female and strong and represent all of us, our indignation, the pain of our community.

"Frozen Rivers" is not taking political sides; as a matter of fact, it appears to condemn the very act that gets our two main characters in trouble. It focuses on the issues of survival and protection. The American Dream is already shattered. What matters now is to survive on something other than cereal and Tang.

Something smolders in this film, and it is the performance of Leo, as Ray, the mother who cries and fears the worst, but who doesn't understand the meaning of quitting. She is willing to compromise her views and push herself beyond what she has endured so far in order to feed and protect her children. She also learns that there might be others who are worse off than she is. She has lost a husband, but what do the others have? Why are they willing to take those chances and endure slavery? "Frozen River" does not have a happy ending, but there is plenty of hope in it, as we know that the worst is probably over. There are some exchanges, strategically placed between the main characters to know that we are willing to forgive and compromise, in order to allow for more growth and improvement.

It's a deceptively quiet film, but it does possess a very strong voice.