Movie Review: Frozen River

Single mother Ray Eddy tries to survive after her husband disappears, leaving her scraping by on her meager salary. The Mohawk reservation between New York State and Quebec is a frozen wasteland leaving Ray little hope for a better life. Ray struggles to provide for her son and keep from losing her home. A chance encounter with a Mowhawk single mother and an opportunity for fast money involves her in illegal operations taking place at the border.

Melissa Leo was nominated for an Oscar for her role and rightly so. This movie is gut wrenching and real. Leo and Upham are riveting as the two women from different cultures who form a bond while trying to keep their lives from crumbling before them.

Frozen River is not an easy watch, it rides the line of what is right and wrong when it comes to choices desperate people make over money. This is an excellent drama and a film you should include on your must see list.

2008. Directed by Courtney Hunt. Starring Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott, Michael O’Keefe, Mark Boone Junior, James Reilly and Jay Klaitz.

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