ViewGuide

Created Jan 10, 2011 08:06PM PST • Edited Jan 10, 2011 08:06PM PST

1. Quality

2. 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.

4. 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’.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. 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?

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Great 4.0

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.0

17. Sex Titillating 2.0

18. Violence Fierce 2.0

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

21. Reality

    Glib 1.5

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.5

23. Biological Glib 1.5

24. Physical Glib 1.5