Frozen River

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=42836

Release Date: August 1, 2008 (limited)
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Director: Courtney Hunt
Screenwriter: Courtney Hunt
Starring: Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott
Genre: Drama

Plot Summary: Two days before Christmas in rural upstate New York, Ray Eddy's husband has left her in an impossible situation—not only is he gone, but he has gambled away all of the family's meager savings. Ray's single wage at the Yankee One Dollar Store can't make the house payment, and the situation forces Ray to feed her two sons popcorn and Tang every day. When Ray strikes out to search for her husband, she encounters Lila Littlewolf, a tough, street-smart Mohawk woman who is dealing with her own struggle to make ends meet. But Lila has found a way to do it—smuggling illegal immigrants into the States. The tribal elders disapprove and attempt to stop Lila by forbidding anyone to sell her a car. Ray has a car, and although the two women don't trust each other, they team up and share Ray's Dodge Spirit to make a run across the frozen St. Lawrence River.

Trailer:

480p (38.6MB) http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplayli...&sdm=web&pt=rd
720p (98.7MB) http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplayli...&sdm=web&pt=rd
1080p (145MB) http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplayli...&sdm=web&pt=rd

 

[tzarinna]

Sounds super intense.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I saw this tonight, it's a no budget gem with a fantastic performance from Melissa Leo. The film is stark and bleak, but has a warmth to it and delivers it's tension and drama with impact.

It's a story about desperate people but it's the strength and human sides of the characters that make it so compelling, and the film explores a subject matter in an area ive not seen on film before.

It's a drama in the strictest sense, actions have consequences, flawed people have motivations and conscience's, desperation is a terrible thing, and for some people, what many of us consider basic life, is a goal to strive for no matter the hardships. these themes are all explored in a beautifully understated fashion.

The film also looks great as well, with the cold beauty of the icy outdoors captured like a painting and contrasted superbly with the cosy warmth of the trailer home Melissa Leo and her 2 kids live in.

I am sure most have not seen this and it will be too low key for many, but for those up for something off the beaten track, that is very human but avoids the need to be ugly to be "real" approach, then check this gem out.

8/10