MOVIE REVIEW: Winter's Bone (2010)

Although, I'm now only two films short of having seen all of last year's Best Picture nominees before tomorrow's Academy Awards ceremony, it's rather lucky of me that my library was nice enough to send me a copy of Winter's Bone, today; this year's "indie-film-that-could" which has swept up a number of different festivals including the Grand Jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. How admirable it is that this film has come so far to reach mainstream attention with the Oscars. While it's fairly ordinary storytelling, I sensed a quiet strength underneath it all, much like the performance conveyed by it's lead actress.

Based on a book by the same name, written a few years ago, Winter's Bone is about a poor Missouri family, living in the Ozarks, and cared for by 17 year-old Ree. When her drug-pushing father skips bail and disappears, Ree takes responsibility to go looking for him, lest she risk herself and her catatonic mother losing custody of Ree's younger siblings, due to her father putting up their assets as collateral. As Ree investigates into the matter further, she butts heads with the local townsfolk who seem bent on keeping Ree's father's disappearance a secret, and she seeks the protection and guidance of her uncle, Teardrop, to figure out what happened to him.

Independent films often have a knack for making incredible atmosphere, as a result of being a labor of love. Winter's Bone is no exception; this film is exudes the Ozarks through and through. The cinematography gives off beautiful vistas of the Missouri countryside, dotted with the gritty, destitute nature of Ree's neighborhood. The soundtrack is mostly folk music, but there's a wonderfully, melancholy score by Dickon Hinchliffe that reminds me of Gustavo Santaolalla's work in Brokeback Mountain.

And as for the performances, Jennifer Lawrence gives of a refreshingly mature, unforced, and natural portrayal of a headstrong teenager who is a victim of circumstance. She doesn't have many moments of high drama, but she lets Ree speak volumes through her subtle expressiveness. You don't need to know she's upset or angry just by seeing her go through the regular motions; the pain she often exudes is more restrained, more quiet, more internal. Although she may not win the big prize, she richly deserves her Oscar nomination. I'm well-aware her co-star, who plays her uncle is also up for Supporting Actor, and was also stellar, despite having a dearth of scenes.

As a neo-noir story, Winter's Bone is rather stylized, it demands a lot of focus towards the thick accents and the minimal editing. While there were some tense moments, I'd classify the film more as a drama or mystery, than a thriller. The ending may also leave some viewers questioned or unsatisfied by the outcome. Overall, while the story may not be as groundbreaking as others we've seen throughout last year, Winter's Bone manages to be entertaining, and providing enough dramatic weight without cloying for your attention.

7/10

Peace,
- Jon