BrianSez's Review

Summary - Very Good 3.5

If you are looking for a movie to transport you in to the world of back-country Ozark white trash living while telling an intriguing story, then Winter’s Bone is just the ticket: Run-down ramshackle living, teen-pregnancy, fried potatoes for breakfast, women with missing teeth carrying babies and not talking back to husbands, hound-dogs and the sound of hunting rifles in the woods, teaching the kids to shoot and clean squirrel for dinner. Yup – this movie has it all. Now, add to that a story of gritty determination and a test of wills by a 17 year old country girl – and you’ve got a winner of a film.

Acting - Great 4.0

Jennifer Lawrence hails from Kentucky – I wonder if that has something to do with the outstanding acting. You come away feeling that teen girls in these back woods are made of steel at a young age – all thanks to the tough and determined character Ree – and Jennifer has what it takes to make it all believable. Rest of the cast is a bit faded in the background behind her – but a big nod to John Hawkes as uncle ‘Teardrop’.

Film - Great 4.0

Cold and stark, tough and gritty, intense and emotional. Well done ingredients in a finely weaved story filmed with high quality and attention to detail. What’s not to like?

Edge - Risqué 2.0

Reality - Glib 1.5

2 Comments

• Wick Jan 11, 2011 9:44PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  Happy to see yet another Winter’s Bone fan, Bri. Like you, I thought it was very good, not great. Interestingly, many professional reviewers have it on their Best Movies of 2010 list. Even though I liked it a lot, it didn’t make mine.

• Wick Aug 15, 2010 7:51AM

  Regarding John A Massie’s Review
  Happy to see another Winter’s Bone fan, Massie. Interesting take, per usual from you. Only surprise is that you didn’t single out Jennifer Lawrence, who seems bound to be a huge star.

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