Winter's Bone

Winter’s Bone

Winter’s Bone was another one of those films that debuted quietly last summer and did very little at the box office.  The critics loved it, but a combination of a dreary and ambiguous trailer (in the summer, people want to see blockbusters, not heavy movies) and an odd title (same thing that hampered Shawshank Redemption when it first came out) conspired to keep this movie obscure and forgotten.

            Still, the movie was powerful enough to catch the attention of the Oscars and it was nominated for both Best Picture and Best Actress.  I can say, with almost certainty, that it will win neither.  This is not to say it wasn’t a good film, but the mojo just isn’t there.

            Winter’s Bone is a story about a poverty stricken family in the Ozark’s.  I think critics love these extreme poverty tales as quintessentially American and tend to give more credit than is deserved, but don’t get me wrong this is a worthwhile film.  17 year old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) is, for all intents and purposes, the head of her family.  The father is absent and the mother’s depression is so severe that she is incapacitated.  Ree dreams of joining the Army and providing a better life for her younger brother and sister.  The challenge comes when the Sheriff shows up on her doorstep looking for her father who has skipped bail.  Ree could care less about the whereabouts of her father, but unfortunately for them, the father put the house and property up as collateral.  Suddenly, Ree is faced with the possibility of facing eviction and having no way to care for the family.  She is already relying on the charity of the neighbors for food.

            Ree sets out to find her father.  She must  untangle the trail of lies and a code of silence from a community she is a part of.  While everyone has sympathy, the code of kin is even stronger and she risks her life pushing boundaries that no one wants crossed. 

            It’s a fascinating look at the state of mountain people in today’s world.  Where in previous generations, the illegal activity was moonshine, it is now trailer meth labs.  They need to hunt for their food which consists of squirrel and deer (do you want that stewed or fried they ask) all the while talking on cell phones.  They live in dilapidated log housing that have satellite dishes out front.  The banjo and the violin are still their main source of music and family entertainment.

            Jennifer Lawrence gives a quiet and powerful performance as a child who is forced to take on grown-up responsibility.  While it’s a fascinating performance for its’ unflinching look at hill life, I don’t think this is an Oscar level performance.  It’s just a movie to be immensely proud of. 

            An overlooked performance in this film is John Hawkes, who plays her meth-ridden, cocaine addicted Uncle Teardrop.  The man oozes redneck creepiness and danger, but as the story progresses ends up being her moral compass and protector.  Try pulling that off without being contrite, but the director Debra Granick somehow finds a way.  Teardrop is a reprehensible human being, but when all have abandoned Ree, he is there.  And that says something.

            I will say the movie is very slow and, even though it is an intriguing detective story, I wouldn’t call it riveting.  If nothing else it is an unflinching look at mountain life.  It’s hard, secretive, and brutal, but the redeeming, unwavering values of kin (I love using that word) and community is the balance.  Neighbors look out for each other.  Protecting the family is everything whether they are right or wrong.  They survive together and support each other.  It’s easy to look down upon this life, but they demonstrate valuable lessons that everyone should respect.

            Jennifer Lawrence is not an actress who displays a lot of charisma (which is perfect for this role).  Even though she is being nominated, I’m not sure she will go on to be a force to be reckoned with.  Of course, I thought the same thing about Jennifer Jason Leigh and, as she matured, her abilities grew and she has a resume to be respected (even if she isn’t a household name).  I think Jennifer Lawrence has a chance for that type of career.  Low-key, respectable, consistent.

I give this movie:  ***

A good and worthwhile movie, but can be slow and ponderous, especially if you watch it at home.