Frozen River on Blu-ray

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, a widowed Mohawk whose mother-in-law "stole" her newborn son a year ago, and Ray, 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 decide to embark on an illegal venture transporting immigrants into the U.S. across Mohawk territory. Determined to secure the money for the down payment, the women plan one last run. As circumstances spiral out of control, they are forced to make life or death decisions based on their friendship and love for their children.

Ray, portrayed by Melissa Leo (The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada), resorts to criminal activities after her husband absconds with their new home payment. She teams up with Lila, played by Misty Upham (Edge of America), a young Mohawk woman facing similar struggles, to smuggle illegal immigrants by driving across the frozen Hudson River onto tribal land. However, each trip brings unforeseen complications, pushing Ray to her limits. Leo delivers a gritty and compelling performance, portraying Ray as a woman worn down by life but filled with a defiant spirit. Frozen River features intense scenes that captivate audiences like a Hollywood thriller, grounded in the well-developed characters of Ray and Lila.

Courtney Hunt's directorial debut impresses with excellent supporting performances from Charlie McDermott (The Ten) as Ray's eldest son and Michael O'Keefe (The Great Santini) as a suspicious state trooper. The film showcases the struggles of two women navigating difficult circumstances in a harsh environment, making tough decisions to secure a better future for their families. Frozen River is a gripping depiction of friendship, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of adversity.

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