The self contained world of Winter’s Bone (2010) is as believable as any I’ve seen in recent memory. This rural, poverty ridden slice of the Ozark mountains is often so bleak and unwelcoming that it is all the more impressive we get sucked into Ree Dolly’s (Jennifer Lawrence) quest across taboo social boundaries to locate her absent father. Credit belongs to Debra Granick’s direction and writing, along with the commendable character acting, in this suspenseful low budget feature.
It may be difficult to adequately convey how the struggles of an impoverished 17-year old girl to raise younger siblings and care for an emotionally shutdown mother make for intriguing cinema. Her wayward father, mixed up in the production of methamphetamine (a mainstay in the local outlaw economy), is the source of problems both past and present, and, in order to keep from losing her house which daddy put up for bail, she must assertively pry into parts of her community bound as much by blood as a fear of outsiders. Yet it is the consistent authenticity of the narrative and the atmosphere conveyed that is truly absorbing.
While the real life drama is highlighted by Ree’s muted heroism and tenacity in the face of stringent opposition, the storytelling neither leads towards a forced climax (though there is closure) nor feels anticlimactic. There are definitely moments of heightened tension (such as when the female kin violently self regulate against our heroine’s intrusive meddling) that never resort to melodrama, but this is not escapist or sensationalist film-making. Winter’s Bone opens a window into a somber, heart-rending environment that most of us will never directly live but can vicariously experience through this harrowing film.
High-def Presentation
Shot natively in high-def, Winter’s Bone appears thematically appropriate on Lionsgate’s BD offering. Muted colors and a subdued contrast highlight the naturalistic palette that backs up the story’s rural experience. The image is very clean with no noise (often present in digital sources), pixelation or obvious manipulation while delivering nice detail with some depth. True, this Blu-ray doesn’t pop like an action blockbuster, but I can’t imagine the transfer looking any more suitable.
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio is just as faithful as the HD video. Your subwoofer won’t get much of a workout (a few moments of violence do invoke the .LFE), but prominent dialog is consistently clear with the surround setup put to good, if not aggressive, use reproducing ambient noises and the thematic folk music of the Ozarks. This soundtrack does its job well supporting the story without showboating.
Beyond The Feature
Extras are a mixed bag with an irritating setup where you get kicked out to the main menu after watching a single entry (including just one deleted scene as there is no “play all” option). We get an Audio Commentary with director Debra Granik and DOP Michael Mcdonough that highlight a lot of interesting background details and thematic choices but is delivered with such a stilted, subdued tone that it can be a chore to sit through the full length. The Making of Winter’s Bone (46:38, HD) mixes footage from shooting, deleted scenes, auditions and time on set. Often seeming like it was mixed together as an afterthought, the minimal editing will either be charming or seem amateurish. An Alternate Opening (1:29) shot on super 8 and four Deleted Scenes (10:00, HD) give a good feel for outtakes while Hardscrabble Elegy (2:59) spotlights the composition written and performed by Kickon Hinchliffe. Lastly we get the Theatrical Trailer (2:27, HD) and Music Credits which is a list of all songs utilized with composer and performer, urls for regional musical culture and the musician’s websites and suggested reading.
Winter’s Bone wasn’t on my radar before watching for review, but I am very pleased to have discovered this immersive, distressing tale of a backwoods girl’s heroic effort to save her family in violation of the silent oaths of her blood kin. Lionsgate’s Blu-ray offers admirable audio/video faithful to the atmosphere of the narrative though the extras are hit-and-miss. Due to the seriousness of the subject matter, probably not recommended as a blind buy but definitely worth checking out as a commendable alternative to much of the vapid crap Hollywood cranks out these days.
Winter’s Bone Blu-ray Review
It may be difficult to adequately convey how the struggles of an impoverished 17-year old girl to raise younger siblings and care for an emotionally shutdown mother make for intriguing cinema. Her wayward father, mixed up in the production of methamphetamine (a mainstay in the local outlaw economy), is the source of problems both past and present, and, in order to keep from losing her house which daddy put up for bail, she must assertively pry into parts of her community bound as much by blood as a fear of outsiders. Yet it is the consistent authenticity of the narrative and the atmosphere conveyed that is truly absorbing.
While the real life drama is highlighted by Ree’s muted heroism and tenacity in the face of stringent opposition, the storytelling neither leads towards a forced climax (though there is closure) nor feels anticlimactic. There are definitely moments of heightened tension (such as when the female kin violently self regulate against our heroine’s intrusive meddling) that never resort to melodrama, but this is not escapist or sensationalist film-making. Winter’s Bone opens a window into a somber, heart-rending environment that most of us will never directly live but can vicariously experience through this harrowing film.
High-def Presentation
Shot natively in high-def, Winter’s Bone appears thematically appropriate on Lionsgate’s BD offering. Muted colors and a subdued contrast highlight the naturalistic palette that backs up the story’s rural experience. The image is very clean with no noise (often present in digital sources), pixelation or obvious manipulation while delivering nice detail with some depth. True, this Blu-ray doesn’t pop like an action blockbuster, but I can’t imagine the transfer looking any more suitable.
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio is just as faithful as the HD video. Your subwoofer won’t get much of a workout (a few moments of violence do invoke the .LFE), but prominent dialog is consistently clear with the surround setup put to good, if not aggressive, use reproducing ambient noises and the thematic folk music of the Ozarks. This soundtrack does its job well supporting the story without showboating.
Beyond The Feature
Extras are a mixed bag with an irritating setup where you get kicked out to the main menu after watching a single entry (including just one deleted scene as there is no “play all” option). We get an Audio Commentary with director Debra Granik and DOP Michael Mcdonough that highlight a lot of interesting background details and thematic choices but is delivered with such a stilted, subdued tone that it can be a chore to sit through the full length. The Making of Winter’s Bone (46:38, HD) mixes footage from shooting, deleted scenes, auditions and time on set. Often seeming like it was mixed together as an afterthought, the minimal editing will either be charming or seem amateurish. An Alternate Opening (1:29) shot on super 8 and four Deleted Scenes (10:00, HD) give a good feel for outtakes while Hardscrabble Elegy (2:59) spotlights the composition written and performed by Kickon Hinchliffe. Lastly we get the Theatrical Trailer (2:27, HD) and Music Credits which is a list of all songs utilized with composer and performer, urls for regional musical culture and the musician’s websites and suggested reading.
Winter’s Bone wasn’t on my radar before watching for review, but I am very pleased to have discovered this immersive, distressing tale of a backwoods girl’s heroic effort to save her family in violation of the silent oaths of her blood kin. Lionsgate’s Blu-ray offers admirable audio/video faithful to the atmosphere of the narrative though the extras are hit-and-miss. Due to the seriousness of the subject matter, probably not recommended as a blind buy but definitely worth checking out as a commendable alternative to much of the vapid crap Hollywood cranks out these days.
– Robert Searle
Buy Winter’s Bone on Blu-ray for a discounted price at Amazon.com.
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