Review of Frozen River (2008) by Michael B — 16 Sep 2009
Frozen River is a picture perfect portrayal on the plight of lower class America. First time director Courtney Hunt (one to be watched indeed) captures the bleak, depressing environment perfectly.
Long time character actress Mellisa Leo shines as Ray, a mother of two who's husband walks out while taking the family nest egg. To help pay for a new double wide trailer, Ray starts smuggling illegal aliens across the Canadian/American border.
She's helped by a Native American girl named Lyla, who is even more worse off than Ray. Proving that no matter how bad you have it, there's always somebody that has it worse.
Frozen River touches on many issues, such as immigration, poverty and racism. Maybe the most cruel irony in Frozen River is the fact that Ray is helping smuggle people into an environment that she is desperate to get away from.
All the actors give amazing performances, but where River really shines is by making the dark and cloudy world the characters inhabit seem real. Probably because it is.
If this film took place in the summer, it wouldn't work as well. There is something inherently depressing about the winter. There seems to be no hope in the lives of these people.
That being said, there is hope in Hollywood if they keep producing films like Frozen River.
This review of Frozen River (2008) was written by Michael B on 16 Sep 2009.
Frozen River has generally received positive reviews.
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