Todays Review! FROZEN RIVER!

Tonight I am going to talk to you about Courtney Hunt's independent Drama, Frozen River.

With direction and performances so powerful and beautiful ,this movie is one of those genuinely good movies that are really hard to find these days. It is an independent film so it did not come to most theatres but it is out on DVD right now, so I urge you to go to any store where you can buy or rent DVDs and buy it... or rent it.

In her directorial debut, Courtney Hunt follows a woman's life a week before Christmas. Ray Eddy, a mother with 2 children is caught in between a crime. The crime, illegally smuggling immigrants across the border. She does this to get money for her 2 children so she can buy a new house and Christmas presents.

This film gives us a very realistic showing of what a mother would do for her kids. Courtney Hunt takes a simple concept and turns it into a powerful world where dreams can come true but sometimes you have to pay a price.

Almost unknown to Hollywood, Mellisa Leo leaps out of the clouds and gives one of the most incredible performances of the year. Dramatic and commanding of every scene and character she comes across, Mellisa Leo draws us into the story and makes us think and feel. She also confronts people with such power that when I was watching the film, I got shivers crawling through my spine. A truly career-defining performance indeed. There is a time in the film where Ray is talking to a police officer. I will not wreck it for you but, the hard-hitting drama that pours out of Leo's mouth was more than I could handle. Once again a truly remarkable performance by Leo.

The supporting cast of a film, is what keeps the film together. And the supporting cast of THIS film does just that.

Charlie Mcdermott, who plays T.J Ray's son, gives a great performance. A performance that will surely get him noticed by Hollywood. i hope that I see more of him in the future because I see a lot of potential in this guy.

Misty Uphman, who played Lila, is also one of the ones to watch in this film. In her first major film role, Misty gives a subtly haunting and brilliant performance. Trying to keep up with Leo in this film must have been hard work, but Misty kept up. Hitting every line with emotion.

Courtney Hunt's screenplay is one of my favorites of the year. She gives you characters that you can eat from the inside out. She dives into the story quickly and diversely and she also fits in the characters lives and histories without cutting to a scene that is something completely different! Congrats Courtney!

This film picked up 2 Oscar nominations. 1 for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Mellisa Leo and 1 for Courtney Hunt's Original Screenplay. It also picked up a handful of critics awards for Leo.

I recommend this movie to all. 9/10