Winter's Bone reviews
Review by on 26 Sep 2010
WINTER'S BONE tells the heart wrenching journey of 17 year old Ree, in search of her father, to save her sick mother and her two younger siblings from ending up even poorer than they already are and without a home. Debra Granik, director, triumphs with beautifully shot scenes that will send a chill down your spine even within the warmth of the cinema. And as well as a stunning example of directing; Jennifer Lawrence puts on a totally compelling performance which left a lump in the back of my throat at the end and real sympathy for her character throughout the whole picture. After already coming from Sundance with the win of the Grand Jury prize, I had high hopes for this film and with such a moving and tragic story, fantastic acting and quite frankly gorgeous directing and cinematography, I'd most definitely say this film rose to my expectations. Perhaps it did so much so, because of the fact it was different to my initial idea of what I thought it'd be like. If you plan on seeing this film, don't expect a light story with a happy ending; however don't let that change your mind, with a desperate and occasionally difficult narrative throughout and a rather satisfying ending, it may be more than you expected.
Mollie Parker
Mollie Parker
Review by on 25 Sep 2010
Fantastic film. Bleak, disturbing and challenging but wonderfully shot and acted. Highly recommended.
Review by on 23 Sep 2010
One does not like the embarrassment of having to walk out the cinema wiping a few tears from the corners of their eyes, so I felt determined to hold them back towards the end of Debra Granik’s second feature film, WINTER’S BONE.
After watching a young girl, whom is around the same age as me, struggle to keep her family intact by raising her two younger siblings and caring for her ill mother, you begin to connect with the character as she goes in search for her drug dealing father. The film changes from an eerie thriller to a soft, mellow and calming drama, created by the beautiful scenery, music and cinematography. However the more calming tone of the film, I find, reflects on the main character’s personality. Jennifer Lawrence play’s the role of Ree carefully and passionately, while adding a brilliant sense of wit, which adds a sense of humour to the film.
I was mainly touched by the way Granik communicates the children’s naivety towards modern life and how they have not yet caught up with it. We see them climbing hay barrels, shooting old bottles and caring for young animals, showing how they are immune to the poverty in which they live in and cocooned by safety and nurture from their older sister within their dangerous and rural surroundings.
The adventure of Ree ‘hunting’ down her father in order to save her family from ‘living in the fields like dogs’ is thrilling, however in my opinion is overlooked by the beautiful and overwhelming subplot of nurture and care within the Dolly family.
Rebecca Chivers
After watching a young girl, whom is around the same age as me, struggle to keep her family intact by raising her two younger siblings and caring for her ill mother, you begin to connect with the character as she goes in search for her drug dealing father. The film changes from an eerie thriller to a soft, mellow and calming drama, created by the beautiful scenery, music and cinematography. However the more calming tone of the film, I find, reflects on the main character’s personality. Jennifer Lawrence play’s the role of Ree carefully and passionately, while adding a brilliant sense of wit, which adds a sense of humour to the film.
I was mainly touched by the way Granik communicates the children’s naivety towards modern life and how they have not yet caught up with it. We see them climbing hay barrels, shooting old bottles and caring for young animals, showing how they are immune to the poverty in which they live in and cocooned by safety and nurture from their older sister within their dangerous and rural surroundings.
The adventure of Ree ‘hunting’ down her father in order to save her family from ‘living in the fields like dogs’ is thrilling, however in my opinion is overlooked by the beautiful and overwhelming subplot of nurture and care within the Dolly family.
Rebecca Chivers
Review by on 19 Sep 2010
Excellent. A riveting and harrowing story, made totally believable by some amazing story-telling and great scene setting.
Review by on 19 Sep 2010
WINTER'S BONE is sure to take you on an emotional journey of a sympathetic and heart-rending story of a young girl (Ree) struggling to save her family from losing their home because of her drug trading father who disappeared before bail.
Debra Granik has created a rawness to the film with its country music scenes and simple cinematography that flows the story along through the changing moods of desperation and fear to tense battles the strong-willed girl (Ree Dolly) faces while becoming ever more close to the truth behind her fathers’ disappearance. The constant switch of the tone between Ree playing the role of the mother to her two younger siblings to then sudden tense scenes of violence shows how the drama and thriller genre emphasised Ree’s struggle and determination to find her father.
I would definitely recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a slightly miserable and tough fight but with a truthful narrative that will pull on your heart strings with a willingness of hope that Ree Dolly succeeds in finding the truth.
Rachael Humphrey
Debra Granik has created a rawness to the film with its country music scenes and simple cinematography that flows the story along through the changing moods of desperation and fear to tense battles the strong-willed girl (Ree Dolly) faces while becoming ever more close to the truth behind her fathers’ disappearance. The constant switch of the tone between Ree playing the role of the mother to her two younger siblings to then sudden tense scenes of violence shows how the drama and thriller genre emphasised Ree’s struggle and determination to find her father.
I would definitely recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a slightly miserable and tough fight but with a truthful narrative that will pull on your heart strings with a willingness of hope that Ree Dolly succeeds in finding the truth.
Rachael Humphrey
Review by on 18 Sep 2010
Warmly embraced at this year’s Sundance Festival, WINTER’S BONE tells a chilling tale of morality, rural traditions and family ties. Retaining the winning formula that assured previous Sundance heavyweights PRECIOUS and FROZEN RIVER their Grand Jury Award stature, WINTER’S BONE skilfully blend an austere, mountain tale of female struggles with a detective-noir thriller.
Based on Daniel Woodrell’s 2006 novel, WINTER’S BONE tells the tale of one girl’s resilience in the face of a hostile, male-dominated landscape. Barely more than a child, 17 year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) is forced to confront issues that would terrify most adults. Hunted by the Sheriff for his meth-cooking misdemeanours, Ree’s father Jessup has vanished, leaving behind him a trail of debts that put their ramshackle family home in jeopardy. With two younger siblings and a catatonic mother to care for, Ree has no choice but to set off in search of Jessup amongst the drug underworld of the rural Missouri Ozarks.
In a universe ruled by traditional, hierarchy and inflexible notions of honour and obligation, Ree quickly learns how cruel her native land can be, giving back as good as she gets. Lead actress Lawrence is without a doubt the star of the show, demonstrating great talent in her ability to deliver a complex character through subtle, genuine and unhurried performances.
Unsparing in detail, the film sidesteps sentimentality through its raw depiction of drug abuse, death and squirrel guts. If it all sounds a little too bleak for your liking, the banjos, fiddles and trampolines certainly go some way to lighten the mood. A deeply moving portrait of an unusual time, place and people; one not to be missed.
Charlotte Balnave
Based on Daniel Woodrell’s 2006 novel, WINTER’S BONE tells the tale of one girl’s resilience in the face of a hostile, male-dominated landscape. Barely more than a child, 17 year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) is forced to confront issues that would terrify most adults. Hunted by the Sheriff for his meth-cooking misdemeanours, Ree’s father Jessup has vanished, leaving behind him a trail of debts that put their ramshackle family home in jeopardy. With two younger siblings and a catatonic mother to care for, Ree has no choice but to set off in search of Jessup amongst the drug underworld of the rural Missouri Ozarks.
In a universe ruled by traditional, hierarchy and inflexible notions of honour and obligation, Ree quickly learns how cruel her native land can be, giving back as good as she gets. Lead actress Lawrence is without a doubt the star of the show, demonstrating great talent in her ability to deliver a complex character through subtle, genuine and unhurried performances.
Unsparing in detail, the film sidesteps sentimentality through its raw depiction of drug abuse, death and squirrel guts. If it all sounds a little too bleak for your liking, the banjos, fiddles and trampolines certainly go some way to lighten the mood. A deeply moving portrait of an unusual time, place and people; one not to be missed.
Charlotte Balnave
Review by on 18 Sep 2010
Brittle, unnerving and delicate despite the heavy subject matter. Beautifully acted contemporary Gothic tale, highly atmospheric and at times terrifying.
Review by on 18 Sep 2010
Oscar talk meant expectations low; but film actually excellent: gripping, dark & yes, superb central performance
Review by on 17 Sep 2010
Mesmerising acting the whole film. A part of the world we rarely see on film, a culture I don't know but is very understandable from the film. Liked most - the only real sympathy Ree got was from the US military guy and the sense of bleak and cold everywhere obvious without the need for anyone to say 'it's cold'
