Sometimes a film comes along that is so highly praised that it can’t be ignored. Such is the case with Winter’s Bone, a independent drama that is being called “graceful” and “chilling” by critics across the country.
Winter’s Bone centers on Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence), a 17-year-old Ozark girl who is the sole caretaker for her two younger siblings due to a mother with disabling depression and an absentee father who is in and out of jail because of his involvement with Methamphetamine. Already struggling to make ends meet, she is informed by the town sheriff that her father has offered up their house for his bond and if doesn’t show up to his court date the following week, the family will be forced to leave. Ree sets off to find him, meeting up with bad company along the way. To say that Lawrence’s performance is good would be an insult and an understatement. Lawrence knocks it out of the park as Ree, using strong facial expressions and silence to define her character. John Hawkes also does an amazing job playing Ree’s uncle, Teardrop, a crank addict like his brother whose relationship with his family proves to be complicated. The film’s Ozark setting is breathtaking as well, displayed beautifully by the cinematography.
The biggest problem I have with Winter’s Bone is that its emotional core isn’t necessarily all there. By that I mean that I struggle to feel much empathy for Ree because the director, Debra Granik, puts so much effort into trying to make her audience feel sorry for Ree’s rough conditions. It ultimately feels far too forced. Granik should have focused more on her protagonist’s transformation, which fell flat. Teardrop’s transformation was much more palpable, making him the more interesting character in the end.
To be blunt, Winter’s Bone is this year’s Precious. Its main goal is to garner acclaim and be nominated for awards come January. You should see it for Lawrence and Hawkes’ performances, but wait for the DVD. I’ll be interested to see if Granik succeeds in hooking the Academy with this bait.
Rating: 3/5
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