Frozen River

As if Academy nominations for best screenplay and best actress weren’t enough, a film described by Quentin Tarantino as one of the best thrillers of the year was always going to set high expectations. Fortunately Frozen River meets them all, and some. Set amidst the jarred and frozen landscape of the US-Canadian border, the film centres around tenacious single mother Ray Eddy (Leo) as she struggles to make ends meet. After her gambling-addicted husband runs off with the deposit for their new home, she is galvanised into taking any means necessary to make her dream home become a reality. A chance meeting with Mohawk girl Lila draws Ray into the murky world of illegal immigrant smuggling, and as the stakes become higher, the stage is set for a taught thriller.

Melissa Leo crafts a believable and endearing performance as lead Eddy, a mother who battles to make a better life for her kids. Whilst trailer parks and rent arrears have become cheap emotional pulls in Hollywood, in Frozen River there is a genuine sense that Leo’s life is intertwined with this desolate space. Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler was deservedly regarded as one of the finest films of last year and in many ways Frozen River is a comparable film. Leo’s portrayal of Ray Eddy is equally as visceral as Mickey Rourke’s damaged one-trick pony and both contain a plot twist which feels fresh and warranted. A truly worthwhile viewing experience which reaffirms faith in the virtues of self-preservation and perseverance during tough times.