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Frozen River (2008)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Courtney Hunt (written by)
Release Date:
31 October 2008 (Venezuela)
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Tagline:
Desperation knows no borders.
Plot:
Takes place in the days before Christmas near a little-known border crossing on the Mohawk reservation between New York State and Quebec...
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Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
Another 24 wins
&
14 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(326 articles)
On the Set of 'The Fighter' with Wahlberg and Adams
(From Get The Big Picture. 2 November 2009, 8:35 AM, PST)
The Gotham Awards 2009 Noms Include 'Big Fan,' 'Serious Man,' 'Hurt Locker'
(From Cinematical. 19 October 2009, 2:02 PM, PDT)
(From Get The Big Picture. 2 November 2009, 8:35 AM, PST)
The Gotham Awards 2009 Noms Include 'Big Fan,' 'Serious Man,' 'Hurt Locker'
(From Cinematical. 19 October 2009, 2:02 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Courtney Hunt brilliantly explores a rare genre: the humanistic thriller
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Melissa Leo | ... | Ray Eddy |
 | Misty Upham | ... | Lila Littlewolf |
 | Charlie McDermott | ... | Troy J. 'T.J.' Eddy |
 | Michael O'Keefe | ... | Trooper Finnerty |
| Mark Boone Junior | ... | Jacques Bruno |
 | James Reilly | ... | Ricky Eddy |
 | Jay Klaitz | ... | Guy Versailles |
| John Canoe | ... | Bernie Littlewolf |
| Dylan Carusona | ... | Jimmy |
| Michael Sky | ... | Billy Three Rivers |
 | Gargi Shinde | ... | Pakistani Mother |
 | Rajesh Bose | ... | Pakistani Father |
| Azin Jahanbakhsh | ... | Pakistani Dealer |
| Jack Phillips | ... | Pakistani Baby |
| James Phillips | ... | Pakistani Baby |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for some language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:R |
New Zealand:R16 |
Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) |
Sweden:7 |
Finland:K-11 |
Netherlands:12 |
Australia:MA |
France:U |
Singapore:PG |
Ireland:12A |
UK:15
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Goofs:
Errors in geography: Based on the car license plates on the Canadian side, and the Quebecois dialogue of the Canadian characters, the implied smuggling route runs directly across the St Lawrence River (or another major nearby river) from Quebec into N.Y. State. However, at no point does any major river (including the St Lawrence) form the boundary between Quebec and upstate N.Y. The St Lawrence does however form the boundary between upstate N.Y. and the (largely English-speaking) province of Ontario, and there is a major Mohawk Indian reservation situated on the N.Y. side of that section of the Canada-U.S. boundary.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Featured in 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2009) (TV)
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FAQ
Why did Lila let her mother-in-law care for her baby?How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Is "Frozen River" based on a novel?
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Courtney Hunt's début feature, "Frozen River", winner of this year's Sundance's Grand Jury Prize, is as tense as a great thriller should be, and also a heartfelt, poignant drama.
Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo) was just abandoned by her druggie husband, having to take care of their two kids and pay for their house alone (otherwise, they'll be evicted). With her minimum wage job at a local store, Ray can't make enough money, but chance will introduce her to a young Mohawk, Lila (Misty Upham), who smuggles illegal immigrants across the frozen St. Lawrence River (between New York State and Québec), and both will be forced to risk a lot in order to get the money they need.
Hunt's writing/directing is secure and reveals a very promising talent, but the film's major strength is the extraordinary performances of the lead actresses, in particular Melissa Leo ("21 Grams", "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada"), magnificent character actress turned lead. Totally deglamourized, her screen presence is real, visceral, almost organic. A flawless performance in a great film, that is at once sad, suspenseful and hopeful. It's not every movie that makes you feel for and really care for its characters, but "Frozen River" is one of those rare gems. 10/10.