FROZEN RIVER ***

Even the title of this movie suggests hardship where life keeps living. Such is the true-to-life tale nurtured from a one-act, into a film short and finally into an impressive feature debut by writer-director Courtney Hunt. Long-time character actress Melissa Leo steps up big-time to play lead protagonist Ray Eddy, a hard-luck woman who is trying to live a decent life and support her two kids. Abandoned by her gambling-addict husband, Ray is the not-so-uncommon working-class American who works hard but gets knocked down by bad decisions and back luck. The fact that director Hunt makes it so compellingly real instead of a "what a stupid 'only-in-the-movies' decision THAT was" sentiment is a testament to both Hunt and also Leo, who imbues Ray with a dignity and honesty that dares you to think it could be any other way. The movie becomes a heart-tugging - and heart-pounding - study of two lives and two cultures, with her acquaintance through circumstance Lila (sympathetically played by Misty Upham) having a backstory of her own. Together, they very nearly convince us that there are no bad decisions, only decisions that must be made. And just when you need it, on Christmas Eve no less, a savior gives you hope.