Dartmouth Film Society's film for Thursday 28th January is Frozen River - the impressively directed, superbly written and powerfully emotional drama with a deservedly Oscar-nominated performance by Melissa Leo.

In the New York State town of Massena, on the border of Canada, Ray is a woman in trouble. With the approach of Christmas, Ray's husband, a compulsive gambler, has abandoned her and their two sons, taking with him the money that Ray has painstakingly saved to buy their dream house.

Broke, in debt and at risk of losing everything she has worked for over the years, Ray goes looking for her husband at the bingo hall on the nearby reservation and instead finds Lila, who draws her into a people-smuggling plan that promises to yield easy money.  Melissa Leo delivers an achingly raw performance as a woman at the very end of her tether. There's also terrific support from Misty Upham, who provides the perfect counterpoint to Leo's performance. Together, they make an unlikely but deeply engaging screen partnership.

Guest tickets for sale in The Windjammer £3.50 from 7.30 - 7.55 Our bar at The Guildhall opens at 7.30 - the film to be shown at 8pm approx

2.  SOS events

John Fenton reports:  SOS events with the Dart RNLI lifeboat

The RNLI Dart inshore lifeboat has been increasingly busy with 32 call outs last year and 2 already this month.
Every year the RNLI run a national SOS fundraising event. In Dartmouth Sax Appeal are playing at the Guildhall on Saturday 30 Jan. Tickets are available on the door or from The Royal Castle Hotel and the Harbour Bookshop. The Lifeboat Station is open to all on the same day between 11am and 4pm. The Sea Safety team will show you how to check your lifejacket, Sea our Safety, and there is plenty to eat and see. Sizzle our Sausages, Scoff our Scones, See our Souvenirs... Join the fun, bring your family and support the local RNLI.

3.   The French Connection

The French navy has sailed  the River Dart with five of its navigation training ships,  Guepard, Tigre, Lynx, Glycine and Eglantine.

Their visit last February was greeted with snow and this time a bit of fog.  They have close links with the Dartmouth Naval College and had a great time here in our wonderful town.

If you're curious, The French Connection was made in 1971 featuring Gene Hackman who has starred in more than 100 productions.  If you are fan of the 60's click here to read more about him?

Like the French Navy, why not come down for the weekend, or even a week?

4.   Small News

• Calling all romantics!! Valentine’s Dinner Saturday 13th February. Book your table now in Nu, the river view restaurant at The Royal Castle hotel.  A five-course candlelit dinner for £39.95 per person. Renowned harpist Louise Wiggans will be playing throughout the evening. To book call: 01803 833033
   

• Pat Martin reminded me of  Michael Portillo on his great railway journeys on prime time TV where he visited the Royal Castle Hotel and got up from the 'cosy corner' and walked straight into the kitchens?  What fabulous publicity it was for Dartmouth and the Steam Railway!
   

• Philip Watts reports that The Kings Arms at Strete and the Floating Bridge Dartmouth both feature in this year's Michelin Guide.
  
   

Why not come and visit Dartmouth?

• Self catering accommodation click here
   
• Dartmouth B and B  click here
   
• Dartmouth Hotels click here
   
• A Tourist Guide to Dartmouth click here

Images copyright Dave Cawley, Andy Kyle, Tony Pike & others.