.: Roberts' Reviews - Movie Reviews :.

Ree (Jennifer Lawrence) has a problem. The local police have just visited her home and informed her that her father put the house up as collateral for his bail before disappearing. If he is not found - dead or alive - in the next week, then Ree (aged 17), her mother and much younger brother and sister will be forced out of their home. Things were tough on Ree already. Without a job and the primary caregiver to the three members of the household, they have had to live on the kindness of others. And potatoes.
Ree even had to give her horse away to the neighbors as she was unable to tend and feed the animal.

With no choices left, Ree must set out to try and find her father - a known drug dealer that cooks drugs and has dealings with individuals you would pray you would never have to face.

This is the compelling and fascinating story of Winter's Bone. A film directed by Debra Granik that wowed audiences at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival on its way to winning the Grand Jury Prize and screenwriting awards at the prestigious event.

Winter's Bone starts slow and boils to a believable and destructive end. As Ree contacts others that may have interaction with her father - including his brother, Teardrop played by Deadwood's, John Hawkes - she encounters danger at every turn. No one wants to help as assisting might make them witnesses. The world to which she is forced to explore is saturated in evil, drug dealing menaces that would not think twice of taking violent action against any pursuers.

Ree will be beaten and continually threatened in her search and some of her face-to-face encounters end up being some of the most intense non-verbal scenes put on film. A particular scene where Ree is beaten by a group of family dealers that don't want her on their property is the best filmed scene of the year. Teardrop shows up to account for Ree's and his standoff with the local kingpin is darkly tense and nerve-racking.

Winter's Bone is very reminiscent of a David Gordon Green film. It takes place in a poor and remote area of America - one that isn't talked of much or shows up in full page magazines. The people are survivors and don't appreciate anyone asking about their business. There are no luxuries. Entertainment comes in the form of individuals that might appear at your house and play stringed instruments while singing songs straight out of a Coen Brother's film.

The setting plays just as much a role as do the characters in Winter's Bone. The location oozes personality and the reality that evil lurks behind every twig is impossible to ignore.

Ree's odyssey will take the audience on a remarkable journey. If you think you know where the film is going - you're wrong. By the time Ree finally gets through the lies and false accusations regarding her father's whereabouts, you will be transfixed by the family's situation and repulsed by the actions required to ensure resolve.

Winter's Bone is too small to have a large opening. Nothing blows up and it relies on an exceptional story (by Anne Rosellini and Debra Granik) to propel us through the well constructed 100 minutes. But it is an experience that should not be missed. Frustratingly tense, Winter's Bone is (so far) the best film of the year.