frozen river

i have to admit i think i missed the plot on this one
lots of very positive reviews, academy award nominations
best film at the sundance film festival and so on
the flier suggesting fargo meets a simple plan
but mainly because it is set in a frozen environment
in this case the border between the u s and canada
the main character a woman by the name of ray eddy
recently abandoned by her gambling-addicted husband
she has 2 sons to raise, a part-time job and a new house to buy
that house in the form of a detachable delivered on a truck
trouble is husband has nicked off with the cash
and so she is left with the need to get the money together
through a series of events she meets a local mohawk indian woman
they form an alliance involving people smuggling across the border
driving across the frozen river between canada and the u s
with chinese, pakistanis and other desperates in the boot (trunk)
this earns her quite good money and solves a few problems
but of course creates a few along the way leading to her arrest
that's about it really - the plot as bleak as the setting
usually i enjoy an exposure to a life story with a difference
but this one just left me ah cold with a lack of connection
there's admittedly some fine acting from melissa leo in the lead role
but the rest of them were as stiff as boards and very one dimensional
not a laugh or a smile or any character forming of any kind at all
which presumably is the point - this is a harsh environment they live in
maybe the male in me was not receptive to the main theme
that women are resourceful, adaptable and determined
especially when it comes to providing for their children
ray eddy's companion in crime also a mother in despair
her young child effectively stolen by her own mother
motherly instincts in the 2 leads brought out by a sad story
when one of their illegal passengers also smuggles a baby
but is unknowingly dumped on the frozen river to ease the load
dies and is brought back to life when cradled by the mohawk lady
all just a bit of a stretch of the imagination for this crusty cynic
the film wraps up with a kind of happy ever after ending
but still not a smile, laugh or any joy to be seen
which in the end i think i found kind of depressing
again - maybe the whole point of this tale of woe
had me wandering out into the night feeling ok though
any personal problems paling into insignificance
compared to what this lot have to put up with
and maybe that is the point - but i think not
searching around post viewing for other opinions
almost universal rave reviews from the experts and others
yep - definitely missed something with this film
putting it down to a reluctance to empathise
or a lack of understanding of women's resolve
or something - oh well - nevermind
an occasional dud is not a bad thing