‘Winter’s Bone’ Review: Chilling to the Bone

Winter’s Bone was released at the Sundance Film Festival almost a year ago, but it’s only gaining significant buzz after being nominated for four Oscars – Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay. In addition to the nominations, the film has already won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance the year before.

So are all the accolades well deserved? This critic would have to answer with a resounding “Yes.”

Bleak, depressing and chilling to the bone (pun intended), Winter’s Bone follows Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence), a 17-year-old who lives with her little brother, sister and catatonic mother in the Missouri Ozarks. Living in relative poverty, Ree is the sole caretaker of her family after her father, Jessup Dolly skipped out on them several weeks before. When she finds out that her father got arrested and put up the family house for his bail bond, Ree is determined to find him and uncover the truth, so that her family isn’t left homeless and destitute.

Jennifer Lawrence puts on a wonderful perfomance as Ree Dolly | Poster courtesy of Roadside Attractions

What could be a relatively easy search is hindered by the strict code of silence of the tight-knit community that Ree lives amongst adhere to. Her father, a known crystal meth dealer is widely believed to be dead, and when Ree decides to start poking around looking for answers, she is stopped by roadblock after roadblock in the form of acquaintances who tell her to mind her own business and go back home. Ree cuts to the heart of the matter when she is rejected yet again by a relative by saying “blood don’t really mean shit to the big man.”

Perhaps the best aspect of this film is the characters of the movie, in particular Jennifer Lawrence’s performance as the tough, teenaged, head of the household. With her dad gone, she is both mother and father to her younger siblings, Sonny and Ashlee, bestowing little gems of advice on to them. One scene shows the three of them watching their neighbors skinning a deer. Sonny asks Ree if they should go ask (i.e. beg) them for some food. Ree in turns says “Never ask for what oughta offered.” She teaches them to take care of themselves in case anything ever happens to her, showing them how to work a shotgun, cook deer stew or do their own laundry.

Nothing about her is unbelievable or far-fetched. Yes, Ree is an extremely responsible individual who manages to keep her family going with little help, but she is firmly etched in reality. She has no super powers, and she isn’t infallible. She has her moments of weakness. She’s also not too proud to take advice from people. A scene shows Ree thinking about enlisting in the army. When the sergeant asks her why she wants to join the army, she says it’s because of the lure of $40,000. The sergeant promptly tells her that money is not a good enough reason to join the army, and suggests that she stays home to take care of her family.  He tells Ree that while the army is a big challenge, “it takes a lot of backbone and a lot of courage to stay home”, and so she does. Lawrence’s understated and nuanced performance shows off the character’s intelligence and perseverance to keep her family safe in a most wonderful way, never relying on theatrics.

The powerful performances of all the characters make us forget that we are essentially watching a detective story. The film’s cinematography is almost film noir-esque, with its harsh colors and cold exteriors. This also reflects the poverty of the mountainous woods that make up the Ozarks and Ree’s home. The modern world seems to have forgotten this place, as there are little signs of technology. There is no television or computers, and Ree’s house relies on a wood-burning oven. The only presence of technology is perhaps the beat up trucks that her neighbors drive. What’s also different about this detective story is that there is a distinct lack of violence. The director, Debra Granik, is determined to let the characters do their thing to propel the story. Even the one instance of violence in the film happens behind closed doors in a barn.

Winter’s Bone is great, but by no means perfect. The relationships between Ree and her neighbors are never explicitly explained, and the audience is left confused as to who is related to who, and if they are related to Ree at all. The pace is also a problem. On one hand the languid speed will more fully let viewers soak in the stark, realistic atmosphere that is at times, pregnant with danger. On the other hand, the pace is much too slow for a film that is essentially an unfolding murder mystery.

Nonetheless, Winter’s Bone is a thoroughly entertaining, albeit unconventional thriller that emphasizes atmosphere, setting and characterization over showmanship. What will surprise you is the film’s ability to keep you on the edge of your seat until the riveting end. Winter’s Bone shows perfectly that a murder mystery doesn’t have to boisterous or loud – that a restrained and beautifully quiet version of one can do the trick just as well.

A startlingly realistic thriller set in the haunting woods of the rural Ozarks, Winter’s Bone will stay with you long after the movie’s over: A

About Ruth Chan

Ruth Chan (COM '14) is just your average moviegoer. Fortunately, she got a gig here at The Quad and is now lucky enough to write reviews for them. Shoot her a message if you ever want to discuss the geeky world of films with someone.

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3 Comments on “‘Winter’s Bone’ Review: Chilling to the Bone”

  1. Jennifer Lawrence’s acting is superb in this particular film. I think her portrayal of Ree is very honest and real and her Oscar nomination was well deserved. The emotion of the film is very real, and I begin to feel frustrated and despair along with Ree and I think that that is a very important aspect of film.
    Thanks for the review!

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