Winter's Bone

Winter's Bone
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Lauren Sweetser
Director: Debra Granik
Rating:4 (out of 5)

Summary: 17 year old Ree Dolly looks after her house bound Mother and siblings whilst attempting to locate her drug dealing Father - who has put up their home as collateral for his bail and unless he turns up at trial in a week they will lose the property...

It seems appropriate that at a time of seized property and increased squalor, Winter's Bone is released - a film that shows the darker side of the American dream, one of an increasing hard drug culture and the ever changing landscape of the old west.

Set in the isolated Ozark Mountains, director Debra Granik uses the setting to great effect. It's windswept, barren and destitute. Full of burnt out buildings and burnt out people, its ripe for horror conventions but Granik, a newcomer by industry standards, shows a world with rules and a code of honour that is not be broken. Sure, this may manifest itself in violent ways but it is not violence for violence sake rather to protect the status quo.

Ree's (Jennifer Lawrence) journey to find her father is constantly hampered by various characters attempting to uphold this code. Going from house to house, she waits for answers and when they're not forthcoming she's handed a hot drink or cash and told to be on her way. But her devotion to her Mother and siblings is such that even though it inevitably means violence against her, she keeps on trying. This dichotomy between the code and doing what's right is at the centre of this film and watching it unfold is tough but extremely rewarding viewing.

Without a strong central lead the film would have fallen apart and Jennifer Lawrence delivers in spades. Showing the same homely courageousness of an early Jodie Foster performance, she is the heart and soul of the piece. There has been Oscar hype about this breakthrough performance for the past few months and it is certainly justified. Like Calamity Jane in a Larry Clark movie, she's mentally fragile, selfless and tough as nails all at the same time.

Plaudits must also go to stalwart character actor John Hawkes as Uncle Teardrop. Personifying the moral and immoral battle at the centre of the film, he's a violent man who uses cocaine like chewing tobacco but still wants to help Ree resolve her problem and exact revenge on those who have caused the situation for her. Hawkes has been in many features over the past 20 years but never got recognition for his talents, hopefully this will finally see that happen for him.

As the film enters the final 15 minutes, it begins to take a turn into horror territory as the truth is finally uncovered. However, this isn't enough to take you out of the story and it in fact shows the limits of Ree's character. Again, Jennifer Lawrence delivers the goods and holds your attention whilst Director Debra Granik doesn't shy away from the tense reality of the situation.

Winter's Bone may not play at the multiplex for too long but its worth your time and money. As one young woman's personal journey its fantastic and as a story about family, selfless acts and standing up for those you love it's even better.