(More than a) Quick Look: Winter's Bone (2010)

I watched this movie on DVD recently, and not having heard or read anything about it prior to my viewing, I was surprised what a great work of American independent film this is. It stars Jennifer Lawrence (of recent fame for The Hunger Games) and John Hawkes. Winter’s Bone is written and directed by Debra Granik, and based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell. ‘R’ rating is for language, drug use, and implied violence. It was nominated for, and won dozens of awards for acting, writing, and direction.

**spoiler alert** The movie takes place in the rural Ozarks and centers on Ree Dolly (Lawrence), a 17 year old girl who is raising her 2 younger siblings and taking care of her mentally ill mother.  They are extremely poor, and are struggling to even put food on the table.  Her father Jessup is “missing”, he is currently out on bail after being arrested for cooking methamphetamine, but he has not been seen in several weeks. The local sheriff informs Ree that her father’s court date is coming up, and if he no-shows, they will lose their house, as Jessup used it as collateral on his bail bond. Ree heads out on foot (they don't own a car) to see her uncle Teardrop (Hawkes) who tells her that he doesn’t know where Jessup is, although it seems clear he does know “something”, but she is explicitly told to "leave this alone".  Ree is handed some cash and told to leave.  Ree continues to make her way around to a few more members of her extended family, but with no luck gathering any better information to track down her father.  After questioning the wife of the local "boss" named Thump Milton, again with no results, Ree seems to be running out of options.  And through this whole trek, Ree never becomes discouraged, nor does she stop caring for her brother and sister and teaching them both how to fend for themselves.  We see her chopping wood, and showing her brother how to shoot and skin squirrels.

Her continued determination to locate Jessup does soon earn her a severe beating at the hands of Thump's wife and two other women. Even faced with own possible demise, Ree does not wither as she stares into Thump's eyes explaining her desire to find her father to insure he gets to court so they do not lose the family house, in what is truly a memorable scene.  Her uncle Teardrop steps in to save her that night, but it is Ree's resolve that earns the needed respect of the community, and with that "key" she is led to the truth of her father's whereabouts.  Jessup was killed by someone (likely on Thump's orders, although we are never told) because he was going to rat out some of the others involved in the meth business in the area.  His body was left at the bottom of a pond.  Ree is taken to his body and allowed to gather some "items" needed to prove he is, in fact, dead to the sheriff so she does not lose her family's house, in another very memorable scene.

There are cultural and social elements littered throughout Winter's Bone that are subtle, yet really give this film the depth beyond just a script and images on film.  For example, no person enters another person's home without being specifically invited to do so.  Despite being poor, none of the characters ever complain about their station or lament about being entitled to something.  The men have the final word in all situations.  Ree asking questions, or making requests of people, even her kin, is not initally taken with the same weight as a man.  Despite the obvious patriarchal slant, there is strange code of respect that dictates the men will not hit women; conversely we note that the women will brutally assault other women.  Methamphetamine is part of the culture - everyone in the community either uses it, cooks its, sells it, or is under the same roof as people in the previous three categories.  The law seems pretty powerless compared to the power the locals have over one another.  Gossip is rampant and "minding the family business" by keeping your mouth shut is a must.

The production, as far as scenery, costumes, and camera work was very minimal, yet so effective I felt absorbed into the story.  If you were not otherwise aware, you would believe some, if not most of the people in the film were actually residents in this rural area.  The scenes outside were either at night, or shown as overcast, giving it a somewhat foreboding feel throughout.  Even with all of the subject matter in mind, I would still say the ending of this story was positive, and certainly not a Hollywood ending, either.  I have not, as of this writing read the novel, which I am now certain to do in the near future.
I really cannot say enough good things about this film, other than to add it is a "must see" and one of the best films of the 2000's.

Extras:
- Jennifer Lawrence had to learn to chop wood, fight, and skin squirrels for her role
- A favorite actor of mine, Sheryl Lee from Twin Peaks fame, makes a brief appearance