Winter's Bone

Winter’s Bone

Welcome to the world of director Debra Granik and her icy look into the darkness of the human condition.  I have to admit that I really wasn’t going to give this film much of a chance after the first five minutes, which I felt started way too slowly.  However, Granik quickly used her directing abilities and talented cast, which included Jennifer Lawrence, Dale Dickey, John Hawkes, and Lauren Sweetser to regain my attention.  Sadly, the film received a cold shoulder from the Academy and could not cash in on any of its four nominations.

Ree Dolly (Lawrence) opens the movie interacting with her brother and sister amidst the Ozark Mountains.  The Dolly family is obviously dirt poor and relies heavily on the generosity of relatives and neighbors in order to survive.  Although the matriarch of the family appears disabled, she represents the only parental figure to the children.  The other half of the parenting unit is noticeably absent.

The plot quickly develops as we learn that Ree’s drug-dealing, meth-lab cooking, inattentive father has used the family home as bail in order to be released from custody.  Almost immediately, Ree is notified that if her father fails to show up for his court hearing that the home will be repossessed.  Determined to find her father and keep her family together, Ree begins her search in earnest.

She starts by visiting friends and relatives that kept tabs on her father and his whereabouts.  As she begins to ask around, she realizes that his disappearance and location are a secret no one wants to discuss.  Although only 17 years old, Ree continues to show guts, spunk and chutzpah by asking questions, which eventually leads to a serious altercation with Merab (Dale Dickey) a distant relative.  Beaten almost to extinction, Ree realizes that imminent death is upon her.  Luckily for our head-strong hillbilly maiden, her uncle, Teardrop (Hawkes), makes a last minute appearance to rescue her from death’s final call.

Does she prevail and find her father?  You’ll need to watch the movie because if I tell you, I will surely ruin the ending, which had one of the creepiest scenes that I have ever witnessed.  Did I mention creepy…uhm, yes, I believe I did….creepy!

Winter’s Bone gets four stars.  I recommend this movie and would suggest you give it a chance as it starts out a little slow.  The acting is phenomenal, the cinematography was simply outstanding, and the writing was spot on.  If you are looking for a movie that is a little out of the ordinary, I would highly suggest this flick.  Winter’s Bone will leave you frozen to your seat and begging for more!

That’s How Matt Sees It!