Winter’s Bone

Indie, Drama
4 stars
Most depressing film of the year so far. Jennifer Lawrence stars as a 17 year old supporting her younger siblings and invalid mother who learns they will lose their house if her nomadic crack-head father doesn’t show up for court. Set in the poor Missouri Ozarks, Lawrence hikes from one ramshackle house to the next trying to locate her Dad in an area teaming with mean, redneck, crack-head losers. I half-expected Dueling Banjoes to start playing. Includes some violent scenes. Very realistic and raw - and did I say “depressing”? Excellent acting. I hope to see more of Lawrence – who’s a dead ringer for Renee Zellweger without the annoying voice. Critically acclaimed and the darling of all the film festivals, this movie has been lingering in the indie theaters all summer – much like last year’s Hurt Locker. Expect to see several award nominations for this one.