Frozen River

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Frozen River

R,

2008,

1h 36m,

Drama

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Watchlist

88%

137 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

137 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After her husband deserts her, working-class mother Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo) is in great need of money to find a home. Lured by the possibility of easy cash, Ray joins Lila (Misty Upham) a widowed Mohawk who earns a living by smuggling immigrants from Canada to the U.S. across the St. Lawrence.

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Critics Consensus

Veteran character actress Melissa Leo delivers a stunning performance in this powerful -- if grim -- indie film.

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Alyx Vesey

Bitch Media

Jan 5, 2021

A gripping story.

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Ryan Gilbey

Sight & Sound

Jul 6, 2018

Melissa Leo must take at least as much credit for the film's successes as her director. She isn't merely tough as old boots - she makes old boots look like ballet shoes.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 12, 2017

B+

... I thought the performances were good, but I just thought it could have done more.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Nov 18, 2023

[Courtney] Hunt’s drama is devastating, not because of the tragic twists, but because of the human reality of poverty and desperation, and the equally human triumph of generosity and sacrifice in the face of it.

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

Nov 23, 2020

Leo's gritty authenticity ensures that Frozen River never loosens its icy, unbearably tense grip.

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Nikki Baughan

Roll Credits

Oct 30, 2019

5/5

Focused, poignant and expertly-crafted, Frozen River asks a great deal of an audience used to tales of triumph against all the odds and happy endings but it's about as rewarding a viewing experience as you're likely to find.

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Anakin P

Feb 19, 2019

Story about a poor family and a mother so desperate for money that she decides to hide illegals in the trunk of her car to earn enough money to buy a double wide. Bleak stuff. But I loved it.

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Anakin M

Sep 29, 2018

A gritty, moving, daring, excellent movie.

Abraham R

Jan 14, 2018

The story is crazy from the start. Small injustices leading to more crimes with a pair of very silly women. Not much of it can be true. The mohawks are known for their traffic of cigarettes and other drugs, sold tax-free. Bad enough as is. River crossing is not believable when the icy road is full or water. It's not cold enough south of Québec. Could work as a comedy but did not work for me.

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Courtney Hunt

Director

Melissa Leo

Ray Eddy

Misty Upham

Lila

Michael O'Keefe

Trooper Finnerty

Mark Boone Junior

Jacques Bruno

Charlie McDermott

T.J.

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Synopsis

After her husband deserts her, working-class mother Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo) is in great need of money to find a home. Lured by the possibility of easy cash, Ray joins Lila (Misty Upham) a widowed Mohawk who earns a living by smuggling immigrants from Canada to the U.S. across the St. Lawrence.

Director: Courtney Hunt
Producer: Chip Hourihan, Heather Rae
Screenwriter: Courtney Hunt
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Harwood Hunt
Rating: R (Some Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 1, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.5M
Runtime: 1h 36m

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