Review of Frozen River (2008) by Jeff W — 09 Jan 2010

Melissa Leo's tour de force performance anchors the somber tale that is 'Frozen River'. She portrays Ray, a mother of two recently abandoned by her husband, and left drowning in debt due to his gambling addictions. Seeking to feed her children more than popcorn and Tang for their meals, and wanting to ensure a good Christmas for them, she begrudgingly enters into a partnership with Lila, a Mohawk single mother with struggles of her own. Lila draws Ray into the world of human trafficking, catering illegal immigrants across the U.S./Canadian border. Hoping to make just enough money from trafficking to make a balloon payment on a new mobile home, Ray's decision to enter this world soon forces her to question her own set of ethics.

The script is solid as a rock, and the acting is, as well. 'Frozen River' is a movie that deserves more attention than it received, both at the box office and during awards season. This is an excellent film.