It’s likely not the kind publicity General Motors is seeking. But don’t be surprised if there’s a rush in the purchases of the defunct Dodge Spirit. Dodge Spirit? Really?

It’s the vehicle (made from 1990-95) used in the transport of illegal immigrants smuggled across the U.S.-Canadian border in the new movie, Frozen River.

Frozen River features the story of Ray Eddy, an upstate New York trailer mom lured into illegal immigrant smuggling when she meets a Mohawk girl who lives on a reservation that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border.

Broke after her husband leasves with the down payment for their new doublewide trailer Ray teams with Lila, a smuggler. The two begin making runs across the frozen St. Lawrence River carrying illegal Chinese and Pakistani immigrants in the trunk of Ray’s Dodge Spirit.

The reason the two women use a Dodge Spirit is because it has big, deep trunk.

Beyond the use of the the non-descript car, the movie is well done and the performance of lead actress, Melissa Leo, has been bantered around as an early contender for Academy Award consideration.