Drama
United States of America
Ray Eddy is a single mother struggling to make ends meet for her two children in a trailer park near the Canadian border. When her husband, who had promised to bring them a new home, disappears with their savings, Ray is forced to find a way to make money. She discovers the lucrative but illegal business of smuggling immigrants across the St. Lawrence River, and forms an unlikely partnership with Lila Littlewolf, a Mohawk woman who lives on the nearby reservation.
As the two women work together to transport the immigrants, they face numerous obstacles, including dangerous and treacherous weather conditions, corrupt immigration officials, and rival smugglers. Despite the risks, Ray becomes more and more invested in the illegal operation, as the money she earns is the key to providing a better life for her children.
However, as tensions rise between Ray and Lila, and the authorities close in on their activities, both women are forced to confront the harsh realities of their situation. Ray must decide whether the money is worth the risk, while Lila grapples with the possibility of losing her own family connection to the smuggling ring.
As the film builds towards its dramatic conclusion, viewers are drawn into the gripping drama of two women struggling to survive in a world where everything is stacked against them. With outstanding performances by Melissa Leo and Misty Upham as Ray and Lila, Frozen River is a haunting and powerful examination of poverty, desperation, and the lengths that people will go to in order to survive.
