Tomorrow will see the release of Courtney Hunt's "Frozen River" in New York and Los Angeles. The critical reception to the film has been relatively positive (as of this writing, it rates 74% at Rotten Tomatoes and a robust 86% at Metacritic) but most of the praise is being heaped upon Melissa Leo's performance. Are we looking at the first serious candidate for Best Actress gold next year? Reviews like these ones can't hurt:
From the New York Times:
Ms. Leo’s magnificent portrayal of a woman of indomitable grit and not an iota of self-pity makes “Frozen River” a compelling study of individual courage.
From Variety:
Unafraid to show herself weathered by the cold, harsh elements and never working to make auds love her, [Star Meliss] Leo builds the kind of perf that invites concentration, and then high respect.
From EW:
In Frozen River, [Melissa] Leo's acting has a brittle severity and power. Every moment of her performance feels torn from experience, and so does the movie, which finds a suspense in broken lives that are hanging in the balance.
The question now is whether Sony Pictures Classics will be able to keep the momentum going until December, when higher profile projects (and actors) hit the screens. At this point, Leo is looking like this year's Amy Ryan (albeit in the lead category). If several of the critics awards go Leo's way, she most likely will make it all the way to the Kodak theater next year. In short, somewhere in cyberspace, Tom O'Neil is weeping.
Here's a look at the film:
Posts
9 comments:
haha, poor Tommy O. He sure opened a can of creamed crap this week.
Nobody is siding with him, but he'll never admit defeat.
Buaha!
Cry, Tommy, cry!!
Leo can keep momentum... performances from Julie Christie and Marion proved that their April/June releases didn't shadow their chances.
I have to say it: Cry me a frozen river, Tom :P (If you had any doubt that I was a big dork, there's your proof).
As the West Coast King of the Dorks, I have to ask: is there a problem with dorks? :)
I saw FROZEN RIVER on Friday night, and I am sorry to report that this "politically correct" and poorly-written film sinks from the weight of its pretentions, although I admit Leo is excellent (the main thrust of your post) and the film has an arresting visual design. It's worth a look-see, but it won't be something you'll remember, methinks.
Wow, Sam. That's sad to hear, I really want this film to be good. Perhaps the film will be more "Away from Her" than "In the Bedroom" during Oscar season (i.e., a lot of attention on the lead actress and perhaps screenplay but not much else).
Do you think Leo's buzz will carry over to December?
My hopes that it would get a screenplay nod have been dimmed by seeing it as well.
It just doesn't seem especially well written, but Leo is good.
Depending on how the studio handles it, I think the buzz on Leo will last. It did on Julie Christie...but then again, she's Julie Christie. Honestly I don't really know. I'm a complete amateur when it comes to Oscar.
Dorothy, I agree with Craig, that Leo's buzz will carry over to November. There simply ar enot enough great female roles out there, for this striking turn to go unoticed.
Post a Comment