"That could be."
"Maybe we should ask."
"Never ask for what oughta be offered."
Seventeen year old, Ree Dolly (Lawrence) has given up school and dreams for the future to care for her family. Her father, Jessup, is in jail for making crystal meth. Her mother is mentally ill, so Ree is left to care for her younger siblings: Sonny (Isaiah Stone) and Ashlee (Ashlee Thompson). When Jessup is paroled, Sheriff Baskin (Dillahunt) pays a visit to the Dolly home. Jessup used the family home as collateral, if he misses his court date, they will lose the house.
But no one has seen Jessup since his release, so Ree begins asking questions and looking for him. Jessup's associates, the Milton family, are less then helpful, and his brother,Teardrop (Hawkes), tells Ree to stop looking. Can Ree protect her family and find her father?
If this film had not been nominated for various awards this year, I probably would never have found it. Unlike other nominated films that turned out to be DUDS, this film delivered. The film has a grayish hue... all the colors are muted (which really makes the blood stand out). The story was interesting... gritty and filled with a slew of fascinating characters.
The cast is comprised of unknowns or character actors who are able to disappear into characters. Obviously the standout performances are Jennifer Lawrence as Ree, who centers the film in an unflinching performance, and John Hawkes as the conflicted Teardrop. Both actors were nominated for these roles. Ree isn't a little princess waiting to be rescued, or a tough girl with weapons and battle training / experience... she is doing whatever it takes to keep her family together: wielding a shotgun and teaching her siblings how to skin a squirrel. It's not pretty, but it is necessary.
Worth checking out!
Winter's Bone (2010) 100 minutes
Rating: R for some drug material, language and violent content.
Director: Debra Granik
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence as Ree Dolly
John Hawkes as Teardrop Dolly
Lauren Sweetser as Gail
Garret Dillahunt as Sheriff Baskin
Dale Dickey as Merab Milton
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