There’s a little buzz building up about Frozen River and this film does indeed warrant the buzz. Watching the struggles of the main character Ray Eddy in this film really sheds light on the plight that many middle class and working poor people face in rural areas. Although, the story portrayed here could also take place in an urban setting as well.

Ray Eddy (played by Melissa Rio), is married to someone with a gambling addiction. When one day her husband takes off to gamble away the payment on the new modular home they’ve been saving for she is left to take care of her two sons on her own. It’s a tough life trying to provide for her family. She tries to get by working at a Wal-Mart type of job (McJob) but finds that its just not enough. The family struggles with paying bills. There’s a scene where the Rent-to-Own (like Rent-A-Center) prey-on-the poor business comes to take away the TV that they’re behind in payments on.

With all the financial problems Ray Eddy is facing she turns to smuggiling people over the Canadian border into New York State. She gets into smuggiling teaming up with Lila (played by Misty Upham-btw I looked at her filmography. Stop typecasting her she’s great!) a Mohawk Indian. I won’t give away any more than that since I don’t want to truly spoil the film. In the end the film shows how when people struggle to survive in bad economic situations—how easy it is to be unable to resist temptation to make quick money to provide for your family. This film also reminds me that the economy of upstate New York is still desperately in need of help.

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