Frozen River

American cinema often doesn't invite you to this society. The husband is a slacker and a player, the distrainor doesn't know what to take, a miserable job without prospects, and the goal of getting a decent roof over your head is out of reach. Then one fateful encounter comes along with an offer to improve a joyless life when the price is just a few hours of fear while driving over a frozen river. The nearby border offers a decent opportunity for extra income for clever smugglers, especially when the nearby Indian reservation offers a seemingly safe hideout. However, the pitcher goes to the water so many times that the handle breaks... Frozen River is not a film made for effect, it has the appearance of a typical independent American film, and popcorn movie lovers may rightly feel dissatisfied. Frozen River could have become one of the many routine crime thrillers. Instead, a psychological drama about the unique relationship between two women from different cultural backgrounds and their clash with the law was created. Melissa Leo's convincing performance ensures the film's four-star rating. Overall impression: 75%. (01/25/2013)

Another in a series of bleak films that in a raw way and without sentimental embellishments capture the harsh life of survival in a depressing economic situation, set in gloomy tones and where the frosty weather serves as a backdrop to the pre-Christmas rush to emphasize the cold reality. As in any society, especially in the Western consumerist society, money is, unfortunately, a necessary means for even basic simple happiness, but when it is lacking, even an otherwise orderly person can succumb to an easy but illegal way to get rich. It is sad that (especially in the USA), money is perceived not only as important but as the main source of happiness (a new television, a nicer house, more expensive toys). Thus, the true "happy ending" is that this perception changes for the film's protagonists in the end. (08/22/2012)