Powerful acting by Melissa Leo and Misty Upham and a setting in a little known microcosm of international intrigue, "Frozen River" tells a fascinating story that keeps up the pace from start to finish.
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08/18/08
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Frozen River (2008)
78 %
Reviews Counted: 46 Fresh: 36 Rotten:10 Average Rating: 6.9/10
Consensus:
Veteran character actress Melissa Leo delivers a stunning performance in this powerful -- if grim -- indie film.
Rated: R [See Full Rating]
Runtime: 1 hr 37 mins
Theatrical Release: Aug 1, 2008 Limited
Box Office: $254,777
Synopsis: Courtney Hunt's feature directorial debut FROZEN RIVER is a powerfully unflinching tale of two women, who, driven by economic hardship, form an unlikely partnership smuggling illegal immigrants across the Canadian border. Melissa Leo turns in a gritty performance as Ray, a struggling... [More]
Genre: Dramas
Reviews
Frozen River is one of those rare independent films that knows precisely what it intends, and what the meaning of the story is.
08/15/08
In this interview, Frozen River star Melissa Leo from the TV show Homicide discusses why she channeled John Wayne for this role and how she captures the desperation and strength of a woman with everything to lose.
08/14/08
In the wrong hands this movie could have been sappy, unbelievable and downright awful. But first-time writer and director Courtney Hunt really nails it with deft skills.
08/13/08
Leo's work here is stirring, haunting, and singlehandedly maintains a pitch-perfect tone of weathered anxiety the rest of River is all too quick to fumble.
08/12/08
A compassionate, cross-cultural chronicle of humanity beseiged by hard times.
08/09/08
Steeped in place, a U.S. Canadian border crossing at the Mohawk reservation in upstate New York, and featuring a stunning performance from Melissa Leo that is devoid of vanity, "Frozen River" represents the very best of American filmmaking.
08/09/08
Hunt might have made a more organic and insightful film if she'd used the story's dangers as the silent underpinnings for the relationship. Instead, those elements swell into the foreground and take symbolic shapes that ring false at every turn.
08/08/08
Now, this, my friends, is a movie! Although I left the film emotionally drained, I felt exhilarated from seeing such an exceptionally well-made film.
08/04/08
What a beautiful and impressive job by first-time writer-director Courtney Hunt.
08/04/08
Top Critic
Top Critic
Nothing comes easy in this movie except admiration for its ambitions and accomplishments.
08/04/08
[Has] a realistic grounding that sticks with you even when some of the plot mechanics swing into melodramatic terrain...[and] Melissa Leo gives a terrific performance.
08/02/08
Not helping is an epilogue that suggests that money can, in fact, buy you love.
08/01/08
Leo makes short work of the very notion of 'trailer trash' and lends dignity to the dreams of a woman willing to do anything to keep her family together -- it's an extraordinary performance in a fascinating film.
08/01/08
A Sundance hit that is both absorbing and bleak, Frozen River is anchored by powerful performances, believable scenarios and excellent writing.
08/01/08
Top Critic
This is a debut feature, though you'd never know it from the filmmaker's commandingly confident style, or from the heartbreaking beauty -- heartbreaking, then heartmending -- of Melissa Leo's performance.
08/01/08
Top Critic
A low-budget triumph for director Courtney Hunt that won the grand jury prize at Sundance, Frozen River is a thriller set in upstate New York anchored by an unforgettable performance by veteran character actress Melissa Leo.
08/01/08
Top Critic
The gritty Leo is gaunt and harried, but tough company to travel with.
08/01/08
Top Critic
Frozen River asks is how much that communality will mean in the context of an uncaring, unforgiving world. It is a powerful question, and the film answers it in the best way possible.
08/01/08
Top CriticRelated Forums
(2008/Sundance)-Courtney Hunt's FROZEN RIVER jumpstarts the Oscar race on August 1st!
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(2008/Sundance)-Courtney Hunt's FROZEN RIVER jumpstarts the Oscar race on August 1st!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 7/31
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