EPEOLATRY

MOVIE 4.5

Winter's Bone (2010)

Dir: Debra Granik

"I'm a Dolly, Bread and Buttered and that's how I'll find my father and bring him here, no matter what."

This was excellent, so gripping, gritty, touching as well as inspiring with all the potential of a Western. Jennifer Lawrence is in her best, a totally Oscar-worthy performance by her side even John Hawkes was great as a supporting actor. The overall casting was just great - everyone looked like real village people including child actors as well; even the soundtrack had some good country music. The dialogues were written and delivered splendidly.

The story revolves around Ree (Jennifer) a 17-year old girl who lives in woods with two far younger siblings and a sick mother - who can't speak and can't do anything else, her father is a crank cook and is running from the law, and he has disappeared from home unknown. A Sheriff comes by and warns Ree that his father is to be appear on court or they'll lose their house in a couple of days as it's on bond so Ree is determined to find his father no matter what! To support her sick mother and she's the only the guardian of her siblings and besides they're broke on money.

Soon, Ree is set on an odyssey and she discovers that there are dangerous people her father was involved with, and everybody warns her to stay away from the pursuit and its consequences, she then meets her uncle Teardrop (John Hawkes) a crank- addict, at first reluctant starts helping her when conditions become extreme. Ree is confronted with much odds but she never gives up and all the emotions (angry, sad, afraid, hurt) is visible right on her face in every single shot. There's a likely-antagonist character 'Thump Milton' and he's described so mysterious and then we got to see him in a big Livestock Market, where Ree is following him - and that scene is so eerie. There's also a spooky dream of squirrels in woods, Ree sees after she comes home hurt and beat, that’s so gloomy in B/W. Afterwards, we see Thump closely and he's total badass, big-built and grim-faced.

I would like to talk much about analysis - the symbolism of young hatchlings gifted from Teardrop to children, 'to live like a stray dog' analogy of Ree towards Thump, etc. But these think will spoil the things one ought to discover and unfold in great movies like these.

The Cinematography was a gritty illumination - like a ray of hope in disaster. The theme described the life in woods with cattle and various farming instruments. Talking of Western, there were much guns in hands of characters but not any shoots except to some squirrels which I think was best for this type of theme to avoid any extravagant action and thrills - like a classic.

The movie is suspenseful and the climax is an excellent revelation satisfying the title, the theme and all the build - elements that have been piled upon.