Winter’s Bone
Winter’s Bone is the third feature of director and co-writer Debra Granik, and it’s great to add a fantastic female director to my list. This film is equal parts harrowingly realistic and thrilling. The story follows a 17-year-old girl, Ree, the head of a household that is barely surviving, which consists of her sick mother, and young brother and sister. When she learns that her drug-dealer father has put their house and property up for his bond and then missed his court date, she delves into the underworld of her small and stark community to find him. But this is extremely dangerous and near impossible amid people (many of whom are her own family) who refuse to talk and are threatened by a young girl who may become a witness. It brings the viewer into a harsh and often terrifying world.
The film is incredibly well done in showing a close-up glimpse at American life that many in the country have no idea exists. The Ozark mountains of Missouri is shown as cold and poverty-stricken, with few choices for a girl like Ree besides following her father’s footsteps, having a baby, or joining the army. The film does not just show a simple poverty, however, or portray the characters as pitiful; it remains a respectful and non-judgemental observer, and the viewer eventually accepts this society as being, maybe not ideal for anyone, but certainly the residence of proud and tough Americans. One quickly moves beyond the idea of this being a simple, white trash society; I especially admired them for their resourcefulness and endurance. What teenage girl in most other American societies could teach her younger siblings to shoot squirrels, and then skin and fry them? Perhaps my reverence was also just nostalgia for my own rural upbringing.
The film also shows an optimistic side, illustrating the culture that exists in the Ozarks with its use of folk music (played by what I assume were non-actors), as well as creating a glimmer of hope with someone as smart, determined, and loyal as the heroine. Ree is played by Jennifer Lawrence, who’s done some movies and is a regular on a sitcom, and I hope the Independent Spirit Award that she’s likely to garner will give her the recognition to become the next Charlize Theron, for she brings an extraordinary intensity to her role, while also remaining emotionally attainable, and never losing her warm humanity. The film also has a touch of old in it— another time is reflected, perhaps the Depression, or even the late nineteenth century, when settlers were struggling to survive. In fact, there are no modern-day technologies to speak of, besides beat up trucks and guns. No cell phones, or even land lines, no computers or TVs, are shown being used. The story struck me as a kind of harsh fairy tale (minus a handsome prince), but it may be closer to what A.O Scott mentioned in his review— a Greek play. It’s an old-world tale of fighting for family members, protecting family bonds, and surviving in a harsh world. It is a coming of age story in a way, but Ree doesn’t really change, she is the same strong presence throughout, and simply learns how to better survive within her community, but mostly learns that staying true to herself and immediate family is the most important thing.
Astoria Cinema 
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