Juliet McKoen's 'Frozen' is an odd little film. On one level it's a simple mystery, with Shirley Henderson's sad, disturbed Kath searching for her missing sister. On another it's, in part at least, a re-telling of elements of 'Orpheus and Euridice' - complete with tragic finale. Surprisingly, given setting and subject matter, allusions to Greek myth are made throughout this film, often in a rather contrived manner (an Oracle, in the form of a CCTV camera, is consulted; a modern Charon is seen in visions; Kath sets off into the Underworld to find her beloved sibling, etc), often in a rather laboured manner but it's an interesting approach Henderson, a most capable character actress, is as good as ever, and holds our attention throughout and her Kath is genuinely touching. Of the supporting cast (a surprising number of whom seem drawn from the northern sit-com stable) only Roshan Seth as Kath's counsellor-cum-love-interest is worthy of note.
Much of this subtlety in characterisation is, sadly, lost in the plot. The mystery at the heart of the story, it has to be said, is wafer thin the final, fatal direction of Kath's sister's last known steps is blindingly obvious half-way through the film. That said, the inevitable end of the hero is one of the most notable features of Greek Tragedy, so perhaps this was intention. A good script, strong, subtle performances and skillful direction make this a most entertaining, if contrived tale.
Much of this subtlety in characterisation is, sadly, lost in the plot. The mystery at the heart of the story, it has to be said, is wafer thin the final, fatal direction of Kath's sister's last known steps is blindingly obvious half-way through the film. That said, the inevitable end of the hero is one of the most notable features of Greek Tragedy, so perhaps this was intention. A good script, strong, subtle performances and skillful direction make this a most entertaining, if contrived tale.