Frozen River

Directed by Courtney Hunt
Starring Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, Charlie McDermott
Theatrical Release Date August 01, 2008
Run Time 97 min

Life in Massena is as harsh and barren as the frigid landscape. In this bleak terrain, two hardened single mothers are trying to make lives for their children. Lila is a widowed Mohawk whose mother-in-law “stole” her newborn son a year ago. Ray is a mother of two whose gambling-addicted husband just left town with the down payment for their new trailer home. Faced with little opportunity to make ends meet, Ray and Lila embark on an illegal venture transporting immigrants into the U.S. across Mohawk territory. With the money for the down payment within Ray’s grasp, the women are determined to make one last run. When circumstances spiral out of control, the two women must make life or death decisions based on their friendship and love for their children.\r\n\r\nThe winner of the Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize, and nearly unanimous critical acclaim, Frozen River was nominated for two Academy Awards® including Best Actress, Melissa Leo.

Miracles do happen. Frozen River is one of them. Melissa Leo’s performance is screen acting of the highest order.
Richard Schickel
Time Magazine
Gripping! Opens up a world we rarely see on film. A Superb performance by Melissa Leo.
David Ansen
Newsweek
Name Role
Melissa Leo Cast Member
Courtney Hunt Director
Courtney Hunt Writer
Misty Upham Cast Member
Charlie McDermott Cast Member
Country United States of America
Original Language English
Run time 97 min
Year Completed 2008