Winter’s Bone – Review
Against the realistic backdrop of the Ozark Mountains, a backdrop of knotty pines, deer stew, pickup trucks, and addiction, Winter’s Bone provides an interesting sociological examination of the underbelly of America’s meth culture, Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence), the seventeen year-old matriarch of a family, faces an unusual quest. Her absent father Jessup put up their house for bail and then proceeded to skip out. If she does not locate him, or at the very least, his body, she forfeits the family homestead.
When the sheriff (Garret Dillahunt, The Last House on the Left remake) rolls up to inquire about the cranked-up Godot, the lawman warns, “Make sure he knows of the gravity of the situation.” Gravity may be the central leitmotif of the story. In the opening scene, Sonny (Isiah Stone) attempts a skateboard trick on the dirt road and gains little air. Uncle Teardrop (John Hawkes) demands Ree drop her investigation. Only death, or perhaps a stint in the army, can occasion an escape from the hillbilly hinterlands. Ree pleads with extended kin for information about the missing Jess, “Some of our blood is the same. Ain’t that supposed to mean something?”
The result: her own bloody comeuppance. Near the climax, an expressionistic black-and-white short of squirrels. evergreens and chainsaws–like Steinbeck’s parable of The turtle in The Grapes of Wrath–foretells the future. The ending in turn features the most inventive use of a saw since the original Saw and will leave Killer Film fans grinning. And perhaps desiring of a shower to wash away the human stain left by this independent film, which won Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
Rating: 
4 Comments
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Winter’s Bone is very good. I didn’t pick up all of the symbolism you did (although no advanced degrees in language, Steve, I can still beat you in scrabble) but the story is dramatic enough. Not to spoil the ending, but the way they resolved her father’s case was one of the “wow” moments in cinema. I’m cracking my knuckles nervously just thinking about it.
Sounds as if the film is true to the novel of the same name by Daniel Woodrell. I’m eager to head to Filmstreams to see this film.
A good assessment of the film, Steve. I like that the story isn’t completely wrapped up at the end. Teardrop has learned “who,” and clearly plans to do something about it. I imagine this family still has some dark days ahead.
Thanks for your comments, Clif. Though this story puts an end to one chapter, I agree with you that this situation is very unstable. I would not shed a tear for Uncle Teardrop.