Winter's Bone
Like many in this world, I absolutely love Jennifer Lawrence. The Oscar Winning actress not only has proved her weight in her career (you know, winning an Oscar can do that.) She is able to turn one of the most famed young adult fiction characters into an endearing and unforgettable modern heroine of the silver screen. Not only that but she kicks some proverbial butt as Mystique in the new X-Men series and complete pull the sludge of David O Russell’s work into something worthy. And plus, her crazy charisma in interviews and her down to earth style of attacking fame makes her so incredible likeable you want to turn up at red carpet events with tequila to do shots!
While she may have won for Silver Linings Playbooks, I have always said that she should have one for Winter’s Bone. The film stars a young Lawrence as Ree, a Mountain Girl in the rural Ozarks who works hard to take care of her younger siblings. When her father fails to return, she goes on a hunt to find him only to discover that the place she lives is a harsher one than she first realised. As the gossip of her prying gets about with the residents, it is up to her to prove her mettle and her strength.
Jennifer Lawrence is simply breath-taking. Only on nineteen when she tackled the role, she proved herself talented amongst the highest ranks of Natalie Portman (who ended up scooping the award,) Michelle Williams (in Blue Valentine) and Nicole Kidman. She is able to convey tribulations of her character without saying too much. She is able to accept the brutality of Ree’s situation whilst still giving her hope. Even after beatings and the death of her father, she is able to become this force of love, hope and admiration. Placing that on the shoulders of Lawrence means Ree becomes this three dimensional character and a striking heroine even before Katniss volunteered as tribute.
Directed by Debra Granik, this piece of cinema is tragically beautiful. Steeped in the countryside of deep mountain America, Winter’s Bone is a film about isolation, and thrilling. Granik is able to hold your attention without being over bearing, resorting to clichés. This is fine work, where characterisation and mystery take over from cheap tricks. The drama is developed and enriched with this deep callous nature of the inhabitants who keep secrets close to their chests. Ree is a character having to grow up quickly and Granik gives her room to explore her norm without stereotyping the culture. It is disturbing and compelling all at the same time. Winter's Bone is pure humanistic drama.
Winter’s Bone is about the underbelly of a community striving to keep their lifestyle the way it is. With Ree, we back a girl who is ferocious in her hope and that speaks volumes to an audience. Despite parts of the film being uneasy viewing, Granik never wavers from it and it becomes this masterpiece film. Alongside the incredible Garrett Dillahunt (a wildly underused actor,) and an unforgettable John Hawkes, it is here where Lawrence became a name on everyone’s tongues. It is only The Hunger Games that name it a roar.