Winter’s Bone (Debra Granik, 2010) is a film focusing around Ree, played by Jennifer Lawrence in a breakout performance, a poverty-stricken teenage girl living in the rural Ozarks of Missouri. She is borne with the burden of taking care of her two siblings due to her mentally ill mother being unable to do so. Ree is soon informed by the Sheriff that if her father, whose whereabouts is unknown, does not appear in court, their house will be sold to cover his bail bond. Ree then sets out on a quest to locate her missing father, learning the truth of his whereabouts. The film is shot in a mostly naturalistic style, drawing attention to the rugged beauty of the Ozarks. Granik makes use of interesting techniques, such as long takes and a steady camera, which serve to immerse the audience and create a sense of realism.
Debra Granik, the film’s director, is a highly respected independent filmmaker with a career spanning over two decades. Known for her ability to create powerful and nuanced stories, Granik’s films are highly regarded that explore complex and challenging themes. Winter’s Bone is a prime example of this, exploring themes of poverty, family, and self-sufficiency.
The film also helped to launch the careers of several of its cast members, most notably Jennifer Lawrence, who went on to become a highly prolific film star. The film was also critically acclaimed, receiving a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside several Academy Award nominations. The film also won several awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
Personally, I did not enjoy Winter’s Bone. The plot appears to be mildly intriguing in concept, but I found the execution to be disengaging and unrewarding. The film moves at an excruciatingly slow pace, one which does not feel deliberate, until the film’s mildly subversive climax. It is filled with uninteresting and unlikeable characters, and I found the cinematography to be serviceable at best. I did find small moments of enjoyment throughout the film, such as the vignette squirrel sequence and breathtaking scenery of the Ozarks.
Overall, I would rate Winter’s Bone ★★.
Otis Morley’s A-Level Film Studies Blog 