When her husband absconds with the savings, destitute Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo) finds herself involved with local Mohawk Lila Littlewolf’s smuggling ring and while the plot provides thrilling elements, what emerges is a compelling, human drama with far-reaching themes.
The desperate woman in trouble premise hints at chick-flick fluff, but nothing could be further from the truth as we follow an illegal operation in which the duo are seen ferrying immigrants across the St.Lawrence River on the New York State border. The pitch-perfect writing from newcomer Courtney Hunt has already won over the Sundance crowd, and even secured a couple of Oscar nods. It’s not hard to see why.
A world record attempt to swim the entire length of the deadly, dirty, crocodile (and worse) infested Amazon sounds like a great subject for a documentary, but Big River Man really pulls out a trump card in the form of Martin Strell, an overweight, ageing alcoholic who also happens to be an endurance swimming champion, who may well be the oddest fish of the lot.
This is the latest effort from Little Miss Sunshine producers Big Beach, and as such it’s possible to forgive a little box ticking on their part as they try to recreate that breakout success. Alan Arkin’s role as a cranky huckster in particular sails a little too close to that movie, but luckily this is an altogether darker affair that boasts some well-conceived performances, offsetting its numerous sins.
