Winter's Bone (2010)

Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) isn't your typical 17 year old girl. Her mom has recently had a breakdown, and is mentally incapacitated. Her dad is a well known maker of crystal meth, who is wanted by a bail bondsman, after putting their home up for bond. Ree has essentially been left alone to raise her younger brother and sister, as well as care for her ill mother, with the treat of losing her home hanging over her head. She's really had a tough time, and it shows. She's tough as nails, and very distrusting of her neighbors, most of which, are family.


She sets out to find her father, but finds nothing but resistance from the many distant relatives who share this poverty stricken area of the Ozarks with her, and want nothing more than for her to leave them alone. It's a terribly sad scenario that is laid out for us to digest slowly, carefully, and unapologetically. It's an awful life to imagine living, but she doesn't complain. 


Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic. There's a rawness to her performance that is a beautiful tribute to her craft, but also believable. John Hawkes is also impressive as her uncle Teardrop Dolly, who reluctantly gets involved. 


The movie overall was great work from second time director Debra Granik, whose first feature film was 2004's Down To The Bone.


Rated R, Runtime 100 Minutes