Chilling

Winter's Bone (2010)

This independent film based on the novel of the same name stars Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes. A seventeen year old girl has to care for her two younger siblings, sick mother and deal with a father that has put the house up for collateral on a bond before going missing.

After seeing this film it is no surprise to find out that it picked up four Oscar nominations as it features some excellent performances from the cast and director Debra Granik. What the film does really well is have a slow, dark, haunting atmosphere that builds throughout the film. The plot deals with insular, poor, criminal communities that live in the rural US as well as the rules of silence and family that govern them. While there might not be a huge amount to the plot it certainly keeps you gripped to the screen.

4/5