Frozen River (2008)

Takes place in the days before Christmas near a little-known border crossing on the Mohawk reservation between New York State and Quebec. Here, the lure of fast money from smuggling ... See full summary »

Director:

Courtney Hunt

Writer:

Courtney Hunt

Stars:

Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 32 wins & 37 nominations.

Cast

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

Storyline

Takes place in the days before Christmas near a little-known border crossing on the Mohawk reservation between New York State and Quebec. Here, the lure of fast money from smuggling presents a daily challenge to single moms who would otherwise be earning minimum wage. Two women - one white, one Mohawk, both single mothers faced with desperate circumstances - are drawn into the world of border smuggling across the frozen water of the St. Lawrence River. Ray and Lila - and a New York State Trooper as opponent in an evolving cat-and-mouse game.

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Plot Keywords:

mohawk | smuggling | trailer | smuggler | single mother | 

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Taglines:

Desperation knows no borders.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Sony [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Chinese Urdu Mohawk

Release Date:

5 September 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Río helado

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$70,234, 3 August 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,508,841, 15 March 2009

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,028,957, 31 December 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cohen Media Group, Harwood Hunt Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

When the state trooper checks out at Yankee Dollar, Ray tells him the total is $3.76. Over his shoulder, a sign on the wall that says that all items are $1.00. At the time, the sales tax in St. Lawrence County, which includes Massena, was 7%, so the total should've been $3.21.

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Quotes

T.J.: You're still bitter.
Ray Eddy: [bitter] I need you and Ricky to put up the christmas tree after school tomorrow, okay?
T.J.: Where are you going?
Ray Eddy: [irritated] Christmas shopping.

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Connections

Referenced in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Olivia Wilde/Grant Gustin/The Vamps (2015)

User Reviews

Courtney Hunt brilliantly explores a rare genre: the humanistic thriller

Courtney Hunt's début feature, "Frozen River", winner of this year's Sundance's Grand Jury Prize, is as tense as a great thriller should be, and also a heartfelt, poignant drama.

Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo) was just abandoned by her druggie husband, having to take care of their two kids and pay for their house alone (otherwise, they'll be evicted). With her minimum wage job at a local store, Ray can't make enough money, but chance will introduce her to a young Mohawk, Lila (Misty Upham), who smuggles illegal immigrants across the frozen St. Lawrence River (between New York State and Québec), and both will be forced to risk a lot in order to get the money they need.

Hunt's writing/directing is secure and reveals a very promising talent, but the film's major strength is the extraordinary performances of the lead actresses, in particular Melissa Leo ("21 Grams", "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada"), magnificent character actress turned lead. Totally deglamourized, her screen presence is real, visceral, almost organic. A flawless performance in a great film, that is at once sad, suspenseful and hopeful. It's not every movie that makes you feel for and really care for its characters, but "Frozen River" is one of those rare gems. 10/10.