Movie Review: Winter's Bone

Story by Greg Bright 

| Published Sep 20, 2010

Recently I read a review for a film where the writer said “see it by any means possible.” I don’t know if a movie ever needs to be seen that badly, but if it did, I would say “Winter’s Bone” is the film to say that about.
It is the story of a 17-year-old girl named Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) who is the sole adult taking care of her two younger siblings and suddenly must find her father (or what remains of him) after she discovers that he has put the family home up for bail bond and failed to show for court. As Ree delves deeper and deeper into her search, the more dangerous it becomes.

Debra Granik directs this mystery film with great care, adding tension in one scene after the next until you want to scream at the top of your lungs.
Granik does not deal with this material lightly either. She tackles it head-on in a way that most refuse to do. She uses mostly hand-held cameras, but instead of taking away from the story like they easily can, they add to the tension. By the end, even the slightest camera movement will make you cringe.

The acting is top notch all around, but two deserve extra credit. John Hawkes terrifies the audience as Ree’s unpredictable uncle. He creates fear when he needs to, and the power he musters is unreal. Hawkes takes this character and makes him his own, acting as emotional and unhinged as the character requires without ever overdoing it.

While Hawkes is scaring the audience with his unpredictable behavior, Jennifer Lawrence is making them hold their breath, anxious of every move she makes. Lawrence is quickly able to get the audience emotionally attached to her (with the help of some great costuming and setting). The audience follows Lawrence through every step of her journey and as she grows more afraid, so do they. Her emotions radiate off the screen with just a quick glance. You will quickly get the feeling that you are watching a star being born.

“Winter’s Bone” is one of the rare films that truly is an event. When it is done you won’t be able to believe that two hours have gone by. So see it by any means possible if you must, or just go to the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center on Friday. You won’t be disappointed.