Review of Frozen River (2008) by Z1000Jeff . — 11 Apr 2011

This is the third film I've seen recently starring Melissa Leo (coincidently ... I'm not actively seeking out her work). This one is from 2008 and has Leo as Ray, a downtrodden mum of two living in a trailer on the bleak and frozen US / Canada border.

When the movie opens we find her trying to track down her good-for-nothing, gambling addict husband Troy who's just absconded with the payment for a bigger and better trailer. When she traces Troy's pickup to a local bingo hall she hopes she's collared him but as it turns out he's not actually there and the pickup has been stolen / borrowed by Lila, a native American from the nearby Mohawk reservation. Ray follows Lila to the small caravan she calls home and confronts her. During the ensuing exchanges Lila offers Ray a money making opportunity which although illegal, given her dire straits, Ray can't turn down. So the two set about smuggling illegal immigrants across the border into the US.

Although the film is for the most part downbeat the evolving relationship, even friendship, between the two leads is uplifting. At the conclusion of the film the viewer can easily imagine how their relationship will move on to their mutual benefit and the ultimate message of the film is definitely one of hope and family values.

Another cracking performance from recent Oscar winner Melissa Leo and also kudos to Misty Upham who makes a decent fist of the stoical Lila.

Available from your local Blockbuster video shop and highly recommended by me.