Review of Frozen River (2008) by Brian M — 09 Mar 2009

Ray: What about police?

Lila: They wont pull you over, your white.

Here's a story set on the border between New York and Canada, around a Mohawk reservation. It involves two women, both single mothers with problems that can be helped with the high payments involved in smuggling people over the border.

Ray, played fantastically by Mellissa Leo, is a mother of two, who is working to move out of a trailer and into new home. Unfortunately, her gambling-addicted husband has left town the week of Christmas, taking the money with him.

Lila is a widowed Mohawk women, whose mother-in-law has taken her son. She stumbles upon Ray's husband's car, as well as Ray, and the two form an unlikely bond.

Essentially Lila tricks Ray into helping her smuggle people, and the two begin a relationship for the sake of the money, with possible danger on the horizon.

I love a serious toned movie that is set in a snowy environment. The way this kind of atmosphere is captured, when its done well, always brings me closer into the state of mind of the characters and story. Its a neat feeling, but the effect snow can have in a serious film works.

This is a very good movie, working mainly due to the very good performances by the two mothers. Its low budget but still looks very good. Its not flashy, just well put together. The material is steeped in drama, but its an absorbing film.

Ray: What are they?

Lila: Packies.

Ray: What's that?

Lila: Means they're from Pakistan.

Ray: Well where the fuck's that?

Lila: I don't know, just open the trunk.