Ray Eddy is desperate to make ends meet; her gambler husband has run off with their savings and she’s left with the kids. A chance encounter with Lila Littlewolf, another single mother, seems to offer her a way out of poverty but as Ray accepts Lila’s bargain she becomes embroiled in a human trafficking racket.
Reviews
“A welcome chance for the fine actor Melissa Leo to finally dominate a film in a terrific and affecting lead role.” Robert Koehler, Variety
“Original, sad, suspenseful and involving: the kind of work that helps independent American cinema retain its good name. ****” Angie Errigo, Empire
“This suspense-driven film feels rooted in a real place and real economic hardships. Melissa Leo makes a moving and persuasive case on behalf of her character.” Tom Charity, The Times
“A knuckle-gnawing, blue-collar genre thriller, with debut director Courtney Hunt doing well to wring every last drop of tension from the pair’s foolhardy endeavour. Yet she also makes sure the film doesn’t stray into the territory of the hand-wringing, ‘sisters-doing-it-for-themselves’ parable. ****” Courtney Hunt, Time Out (London)
Awards
Sundance Film Festival ’08 – WINNER
– Grand Jury Prize (Courtney Hunt)
Oscar ’09 nominations
– Best Actress (Melissa Leo)
– Best Writing (Courtney Hunt)