Frozen River

Debut director Courtney Hunt’s drama of poverty, illegal immigration and American Indian dystopia won overrated praise at Sundance that resulted in its limited distribution. Suffering from an underdeveloped script and amateur performances from its supporting cast, "Frozen River’ is set on the U.S./Canadian border town of New York State’s St. Lawrence River where trailer-dwelling mom Ray (well played by Melissa Leo) raises her two sons without the support of her recent abandoning husband. Ray works at a discount store when fate introduces her to the world of immigrant smuggling via a local Mohawk Indian woman named Lila (played by Misty Upham) who transports immigrants in the trunk of Ray’s car across St. Lawrence’s frozen river for $1200 per immigrant. The large cash rewards compel Ray to participate in Lila’s human trafficking operation that will complicate Ray’s life in unforeseen ways.

Sony Pictures Classics, Rated R, 96 mins. (C-) (Two Stars)