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Emma Paterson praises this Oscar-nominated independent thriller that presents a unique view of modern America.

A consummate integration of cruel topography, social portraiture and cinéma vérité, Frozen River was one of the most lauded feature debuts of 2008. At Sundance, where it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize, Tarantino described the film as “a wonderful depiction of America”, rightly alluding to the tight political nexus of class, race, gender and blue-collar poverty that underpins Hunt’s timely, contextualised narrative. Carefully avoiding heavy didacticism, the film articulates these issues with skilful control through the conventions of the thriller genre.

At the centre of the drama is Ray (Melissa Leo), a destitute mother unable to feed her two sons. A chance encounter leads her to Lila Littlewolf (Misty Upham), a young native American woman who introduces her to a criminal underworld of smuggling immigrants from Canada across a frozen expanse of the St Lawrence river within the Mohawk reservation. That their illegal excursions go awry will come as no surprise to the knowing viewer, yet Hunt’s taut narrative succeeds in sustaining an arresting level of suspense until its redemptive and hopeful finale.

 

Emma Paterson on 30th September 2009
View all 8 of Emma Paterson's reviews