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Frozen River
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Frozen River

2008
Drama
Crime
1h 37m
Takes place in the days before Christmas near a little-known border crossing on the Mohawk reservation between New York State and Quebec. Here, the lure of fast money from smuggling presents a daily challenge to single moms who would otherwise be earning minimum wage.
Directed by:
Courtney Hunt Courtney Hunt
Written by:
Courtney Hunt Courtney Hunt
Starring:
Melissa Leo Melissa Leo Mark Boone Junior Mark Boone Junior Michael O\ Michael O'Keefe Charlie McDermott Misty Upham James Reilly
More
Genres:
Drama, Crime
Country:
USA
Languages:
English, French, Chinese, Urdu, Mohawk
imdb More information at IMDb
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Frozen River

2008
Drama
Crime
1h 37m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 58.12% from 788 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 06 Jan 2009
8
78th
"Frozen River" may be the most eerie and unsettling film of 2008, with Melissa Leo giving on the year's best performances. Compared to "Babel" (which I feel is a similar film), this is a better exploration of when strangers co-exist after unforeseen circumstances present themselves. Without a doubt one of the better independent films I've seen.
Rated 06 Jan 2009
evnEv@n
Rated 05 Jan 2009
74
59th
Melissa Leo is fantastic. Overall a good movie with an incredible lead actress. Well done. Grade: B
Rated 05 Jan 2009
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 27 Jan 2009
77
74th
A strong performance from Melissa Leo highlights an otherwise standard dramatic affair, and that is not a slam on the tight script from writer-director Courtney Hunt. Though the film isn't overly intense, it's still an engaging piece of work, as Leo lends the film an unwavering sense believability that it otherwise might not be able to capitalize on.
Rated 27 Jan 2009
rtomatoesRTomatoes
Rated 20 Jun 2009
88
82nd
Veteran character actress Melissa Leo delivers a stunning performance in this powerful -- if grim -- indie film.
Rated 20 Jun 2009
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 29 Jan 2009
60
30th
While it's nice to see a story set on the US's other border, this tale is pretty dull and packed with half assed performances. The lead is fine, everyone else isn't. Nothing special really
Rated 29 Jan 2009
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 28 Mar 2011
70
42nd
28 mart 11, ankara'dan istanbul'a donerken otobuste & hic bir erkege ihtiyac duymaksizin tek basina ayaklarinin ustunde durabilen, cocuguna bakabilen kadinlar hakkinda- en azindan ben filme bu gozle baktim ve bu haliyle de oldukca feminist bir film oldugunu dusunuyorum. atmosferi cok basarili kurulmus, (bu da senaryodan kaynaklaniyor) oyunculuklar yardimiyla da film 'basarili' hale geliyor. basit bir hikaye, fazlasi yok. olmasi gerektigi gibi.
Rated 28 Mar 2011
cagedwisdomcagedwisdom
Rated 09 Mar 2009
75
65th
Well, this is great. It's rare to see a movie that focuses on the US/Canadian border conflict and a native american reservoir, in fact I have never before seen it. The characters are all deeply sympathetic despite the fact that they commit various acts of questionable morality.
Rated 09 Mar 2009
bentienbentien
Rated 09 Feb 2013
68
68th
Solid indie with uses little effort to get real tension out of the simple plot. Leo is good, but not great.
Rated 09 Feb 2013
sedabSedaB
Rated 16 Oct 2019
70
31st
Pera Müzesi. E.
Rated 16 Oct 2019
maakalmaakal
Rated 14 Jan 2012
78
64th
A bleak but ultimately hopeful film about the difficulty of doing what's right. Beautifully acted.
Rated 14 Jan 2012
3names3Names
Rated 09 Aug 2008
81
44th
A better co-lead for Melissa Leo and I could recommend this more highly...
Rated 09 Aug 2008
telf58telf58
Rated 13 Apr 2009
83
68th
Harrowing.
Rated 13 Apr 2009
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 18 Feb 2009
81
57th
Melissa Leo really stands out. A simple but effective thriller. I can think of a few Best Picture nominated films that are much less deserving than this.
Rated 18 Feb 2009
ronthedogronthedog
Rated 22 Jun 2010
79
40th
From the point of view of plot, this is predictable and repetitive, but actually as social commentary this is unrelentingly bleak and effective. Deliberately repetivie, all too predictable, with paternal responsibilty entirely absent throughout.
Rated 22 Jun 2010
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 20 Jan 2009
5
42nd
A good story that features a fine performance from Melissa Leo. Nothing too impressive or anything but it has it's moments. A solid debut for Courtney Hunt.
Rated 20 Jan 2009
cowfrappecowfrappe
Rated 02 Jan 2009
81
90th
A haunting, devastating performance by Melissa Leo only adds to the excellent (though depressing) film created by Courtney Hunt.
Rated 02 Jan 2009
spokowapSpokoWap
Rated 29 May 2009
85
92nd
Rewelacyjnie zagrany (ogolnie, nie mowie tu tylko o swietnej roli glownej bohaterki), ma bardzo ciekawy scenariusz i w caloksztalcie dostajemy bardzo wciagajacy dramat, ktory porusza kilka ciekawych kwestii. Polecam, jeden z lepszych tytulow, ktore widzialem w tym roku.
Rated 29 May 2009
mohkoMohko
Rated 18 Mar 2009
45
31st
Didn't really care about Melissa Leo's performance. Also Hunt's directing and writing were subpar. Boring drama with stupid people.
Rated 18 Mar 2009
fra_paolofra paolo
Rated 17 Jan 2013
35
30th
Forgettable, but well done, small-scale drama about smuggling.
Rated 17 Jan 2013
kavuKavu
Rated 02 Feb 2009
78
63rd
Hunt should learn to direct but the script is good and Leo is great in the lead. Solid small drama.
Rated 02 Feb 2009
kmcneilKMcNeil
Rated 03 Mar 2009
7
70th
An impressive low-key indie.
Rated 03 Mar 2009
sorksork
Rated 05 May 2009
64
60th
Decent movie. Somewhat interesting. A bit cliche at the end.
Rated 05 May 2009
nepetaNepeta
Rated 16 Jul 2014
50
17th
Melissa Leo's performance is pretty good but some of the other performances were very weak at times. The scenes out at the crossing point of the river look good but then all the stuff at the house looks like it is a home video or something. Some of the action is tense and I did like some of the script, especially the ending which is far better than the film deserves to be honest: there are also loads of flaws and bits where characters act in unbelievable ways.
Rated 16 Jul 2014
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 11 Oct 2012
60
20th
Contrived, predictable and lacking in tension, with some truly awful performances. Leo seems completely out of place.
Rated 11 Oct 2012
bojanglesBojangles
Rated 29 Jan 2011
55
50th
A fucking double wide.
Rated 29 Jan 2011
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 03 Jan 2010
81
80th
This is an exceptionally mature drama, in equal parts gripping and touching. The performances are spot-on from all actors but particularly Melissa Leo in the lead role. Amazing to think that this is writer-director Courtney Hunt's first feature film. I did not realise this had been nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar in 2008 - good call, Academy.
Rated 03 Jan 2010
zealot185Zealot185
Rated 16 May 2009
66
48th
Despite me having no interest in the subject matter, it still managed to keep me watching till the end.
Rated 16 May 2009
gokcanzgokcanz
Rated 26 Oct 2012
80
84th
* Casting, Acting : 9 * Script : 8 * Directing, Aura : 8 * Ease of Viewing : 7 * Naked Eye : 8
Rated 26 Oct 2012
nilkynarfynilkynarfy
Rated 03 Aug 2009
90
92nd
Melissa Leo is a damn genius.
Rated 03 Aug 2009
friendo55friendo55
Rated 09 Nov 2012
85
66th
Melissa Leo is outstanding, as she's shown in The Fighter and the HBO series Treme. A very unique story and shown in a naturalistic non-sensational way. Well worth the watch!
Rated 09 Nov 2012
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 05 Mar 2010
70
64th
Doesn't bite off more than it can chew, and as a result achieves its modest aims. Writer-Director Courtney Hunt demonstrates an acuity with details, knowing how much to bring forth and how much to suggest. Homicide alum Melissa Leo gives a fine, unglamorous performance made convincing by not having to contort through typical Hollywood trajectories.
Rated 05 Mar 2010
naurunauru
Rated 05 Aug 2011
15
10th
The cinematography and extremely low production value kind of wrecked this film for me. The lead actress is good, the rest are not. Also, the way characters and reactions are written into the story here is simply not believable. Basically it is a boring drama with few redeeming qualities.
Rated 05 Aug 2011
glm01glm01
Rated 26 Mar 2014
81
68th
81.000
Rated 26 Mar 2014
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 24 Jan 2024
64
48th
Shares a lot of DNA with Winter's Bone. It's got a great sense of setting and strong performances from the leads (not so much from some of the minor characters). The story feels like it's missing a little something-something to take it across the finish line, like there's a single element or twist lacking from the big picture to provide its X-factor, but it does have its affecting moment.
Rated 24 Jan 2024
andreasthauAndreasThau
Rated 09 May 2010
85
85th
This indie-film was largely overseen by the danish film distribution. What a shame. A single mother's attempts to save her fragile family is the plot in this, in all aspects, formidable film. I see it as sort of a social realistic thriller, both exciting, nail-biting and most of all honest in its picture of outskirt-societies, often left alone, ruling itself. Also, I have to attach an important comment to Melissa Leo; she's just great.
Rated 09 May 2010
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 03 Mar 2009
65
61st
Melissa Leo delivers the perfomance of a lifetime in this powerful indie movie.
Rated 03 Mar 2009
iyisinekiyisinek
Rated 15 Sep 2014
77
76th
Anne, çocuklar, kumar, terk edip giden baba, maddi sikinti, paraya ihtiyaci olmak, kizilderililer, rezervasyon, mohawk rezervasyonu, sinir, amerika kanada siniri, kacakcilik, insan kacakciligi, buz tutan nehir ( Kumar müptelasi kocasi evi terk edip giden kadin bir markette yari zamanli calismaktadir. Fakat market calismasi ailenin ihtiyaclarini karsilamaktan uzaktir. Bir gün kocasinin arabasini bulur. Arabayi bir kizilderili almistir. Kendini kizilderili ile birlikte kacakcilik yaparken bulur.)
Rated 15 Sep 2014
dewalldewall
Rated 02 Mar 2009
75
77th
Pretty rare to see these characters and locations in a film.
Rated 02 Mar 2009
vanessak69Vanessak69
Rated 10 Apr 2011
90
73rd
A tale that leaves much unsaid but communicates volumes about poverty and injustice. Melissa Leo and Misty Upham are a revelation as two very different women who bond over motherhood and their lack of options. Their nuanced relationship is the type rarely seen on film. Courtney Hunt who wrote and directed keeps it real and refuses to go for a Hollywood ending clear through the final frame.
Rated 10 Apr 2011
misterlizardmisterlizard
Rated 23 Dec 2013
50
52nd
Redneck Breaking Bad, but not as good.
Rated 23 Dec 2013
kasperlKasperL
Rated 11 Jan 2009
50
29th
I never got the massive hype for this independent film. Sure, Leo can act, but I didn't get wrapped up in the story at all.
Rated 11 Jan 2009
chemical404chemical404
Rated 28 Apr 2009
38
21st
Very tiring drama of trailer park trash. Acting might be decent, but the characters are too hard to connect with and story is too generic. I mean, do 6 years old really want 3 bedroom trailer with jacuzzi for Christmas?
Rated 28 Apr 2009
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 05 Jan 2009
6
55th
A better co-lead and this movie would've been even better. Pretty overlooked movie from 08 - check it out.
Rated 05 Jan 2009
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 28 Nov 2010
15
21st
"A dubious mix of suspense and social melodrama." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 28 Nov 2010
thehynesthehynes
Rated 23 Mar 2013
46
23rd
There's a river.And it's frozen.Some female freedom fighters rescue people from tyrannical Canada into the arms of freedom
Rated 23 Mar 2013
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 26 May 2012
85
89th
This film has a great, very original script. Melissa Leo gives an amazing performance, she has a great handle on the character. Misty Upham is also great in a supporting role. This is truly an original story that should not be missed.
Rated 26 May 2012
armondwhiteArmondWhite
Rated 08 Jan 2011
1
0th
Frozen River is one little piece of misery.
Rated 08 Jan 2011
mandymandy
Rated 18 Feb 2012
6
44th
This film creates a cold and bleak atmosphere and a miserable depiction of part of USA rarely seen in films. Throughout Frozen River there is a feeling that bad things are going to happen. Seen almost entirely from a female and child's perspective. It actually turns out to have quite a heart warming ending.
Rated 18 Feb 2012
kojilessKojiless
Rated 19 Feb 2012
78
82nd
Another bleak look at the frozen underbelly of North America in the vein of Winter's Bone and Texas Killing Fields; but unlike those films, this one cops out with a sugar-coated ending that feels contrived. This does not, however, detract from the total experience...and the movie's overarching message about duffle bag contents remains a must-see for all mothers who have dabbled in smuggling foreigners across the hoary wastelands of southern Canada.
Rated 19 Feb 2012
glmglm
Rated 01 Jan 2011
81
69th
80.500
Rated 01 Jan 2011
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 10 Jul 2009
70
76th
Good Movie
Rated 10 Jul 2009
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 18 Mar 2009
70
57th
Intimate, unaffected and sentimental.
Rated 18 Mar 2009
blacknwhiteblackNwhite
Rated 25 Oct 2011
85
29th
They got me as soon as I saw it was about those deep dark US of As we never see on TV. Throw in everything else and you got yourself a pretty good flick.
Rated 25 Oct 2011
iconogassediconogassed
Rated 03 Apr 2009
35
15th
See Ballast instead...
Rated 03 Apr 2009
bofbof
Rated 16 Nov 2011
88
95th
Beautifully understated little working-class drama that keeps managing to increase the suspense without any huge action scenes or plots. Fantastic acting, too. The sort of movie the Coens might make if they really cared about their characters.
Rated 16 Nov 2011
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 15 Feb 2010
80
65th
There are strains in the plot here and there, and occasional moments when motivations aren't as fleshed out as they could or should be, but overall the film is disarmingly evocative in its depiction of lives lived on the very edge of economic devastation. The understated intensity of Leo's work is nicely counterbalanced by Upham, who brings the right mix of calculated disinterest and impatient opportunism to her performance as the Native American who becomes the leery partner of Leo's character.
Rated 15 Feb 2010

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