Frozen River

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Frozen River

R

2008

1h 36m

Drama

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Tomatometer

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

01/05/2021

A gripping story.

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Ryan Gilbey

Sight & Sound

07/06/2018

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

09/12/2017

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

11/18/2023

[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

11/23/2020

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

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Nikki Baughan

Roll Credits

10/30/2019

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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Courtney Hunt

Director

Melissa Leo

Ray Eddy

Misty Upham

Lila

Michael O'Keefe

Trooper Finnerty

Mark Boone Junior

Jacques Bruno

Charlie McDermott

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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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