Sundance. Frozen River.

"Frozen River is adapted from a short, and you can see the promise in it and its world of rundown desperation," writes Alison Willmore at the IFC Blog. "In its expanded form, though, it's a scattering of unbelievable elements... and a perspective that flirts with condescension."

"The practice of smuggling illegal aliens across the Mohawk Indian Reservation in Upstate New York is real; the characters are not, but could be," writes James Greenberg in the Hollywood Reporter. "Written and directed by Courtney Hunt, this is no-frills filmmaking delivered with earnestness and honesty."

"Hunt builds a lot of tension in the film's final half-hour, and emerges with something that's about on the level of really good TV - which makes [Melissa] Leo the perfect actress to anchor it," writes Noel Murray at the AV Club.

IndieWIRE interviews Hunt.

Online viewing tip. Zoom In Online's "Meet the Artists" video with Hunt.

Update, 1/21: "For Leo, somewhat recognizable thanks to her years on the TV cop drama Homocide: Life on the Street and the films 21 Grams and The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Hunt's incredible film offers her a chance to truly stand out and shine," writes Steve Ramos in indieWIRE. "In return, Leo makes Frozen River a movie to champion."

Update, 1/22: The Reeler talks with Hunt.

Update, 1/28: "The Grand Jury Prize winner from the Dramatic Competition at this year's Sundance Film Festival, Frozen River is anchored by strong performances, carefully crafted and shot on DV with an eye on art, not mere economy," writes James Rocchi at Cinematical.

Posted by dwhudson at January 20, 2008 3:17 PM