Title: Winter’s Bone
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Debra Granik
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes
Runtime:1 hour 40 minutes
What It Is? Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) cannot find her father Jessup. This may not seem like such a big deal to any of us, but to Ree it is. You see Jessup is out on bail for possession of crystal meth, and the primary collateral is the Dolly home. Should Jessup not show they would lose the only thing they have left their house, and with that Ree would lose her two siblings Sonny, and Ashlee. So Ree does the only thing she can do… she searches for her father. Through the frozen land of the South Missouri, Ozarks Ree faces meth head drug dealer, cops with a one track mind on stopping the drug game. Ree has only one person on her side and that’s her uncle Teardrop (John Hawkes). What Ree encounters is something she doesn’t fully understand, but a challenge she faces head-on, and chins up.
What We Think? Jennifer Lawrence gives a powerhouse performance, one that has Oscar buzz all over it. While the film tends to lag it’s only because director Granik was trying to set a certain tone with pacing. I think it’s hurt the film more then it helps. Granted during the films thrilling portions its really helps magnify the effects, but those are few and far between. The pace didn't need to be breakneck just a little faster.
Our Score: A-, The slow pace doesn't too much take away from a very compelling story about a girl that will do anything to save her family. You’ll leave the film wondering some things, and pondering who paid up the last of the bail money. These questions are the signal of a good ending. Throughout the film though you’ll feel for Ree and hope she find her dad. At the very least you’ll want her to be able to save her family and her house. This effect is achieved by Lawrence’s performance and Hawkes as Teardrop shows great range in the character starting as a grouchy meth dealer/ user, and into a loving uncle that will do anything to protect his family.