Review of Frozen River (2008) by Justin A — 13 Mar 2009

"Frozen River" is a film I wanted to check out at the Lagoon when it opened, but like most movies I need to drive far out to see, I don't end up seeing them until they're on DVD.

I want to be able to say Melissa Leo was a revelation playing Ray Eddy, mother of two boys, and Wife of a recently missing husband. I want to say her character convinces you with the dark path she goes down in order to make ends meet. Unfortunately there was little about this film to enjoy and there was a lack of life to Ray Eddy. Is that asking a lot? A broken down family and I say there wasn't any life to her character? Ray cares about her kids, she cares about getting a new home, she cares about climbing the food chain at her job, but Melissa Leo as an actress in this particular film didn't make me feel as if she truly cared. How much of it is the actors fault? Leo was amazing in "21 Grams", with fewer scenes even.

Leo is a talented actress, but this screenplay was hollow. I'm not sure how much of her character's actions were justifiable. They seemed out of character. That is ultimately part of the point: A character in the worst of situations is bound to attempt new things to stay alive.

Aside from the screenplay and her acting, the film lacked any tension. There was a shocking moment which was pure and deserved, but other than that, it was a flat, overly serious indie drama.

[even though I disliked the film, it was Courtney Hunt's first film, and that alone is an amazing achievement].