Reading this in 2014, it’s very likely you know who Jennifer Lawrence is. Her work in various arenas has put her on the map, as has her incredibly likable public persona. Interestingly. this glorified starlet’s fame arose from a much less famous movie. “Winter’s Bone” garnered four Oscar nominations upon its release in 2010, including one for Lawrence. The film follows Lawrence’s character Ree Dolly, teenager living in the Ozarks who is the de facto head of the house, responsible for her two younger siblings and her disabled mother. Upon discovering that she may lose the family house, she sets out on a quest to find her meth-cooking father. The tone of the film is gritty, real, and raw. It is by no means an easy film to watch, and is filled with brutality unlike much of what is seen in blockbuster fare. Amidst all this darkness, though, is Ree, a shining symbol of perseverance and hope. She simply will not quit. This persistence comes not from a place of ignorance or stupidity, as Ree is well informed of the risks of pursuing her father, but instead comes from a place of desperation. Her life is a balancing act, and it is not one which Ree is prepared to let teeter the wrong way. Lawrence is breathtaking in this role. She’s sad, desperate, and hurt without ever falling into despair. John Hawkes, as her cold but kind-hearted uncle, also does excellent work. Ultimately, though, the movie falls on Ree’s shoulders, and she provides just enough hope to the film and the role to keep you captivated and optimistic. If you were wondering where Katniss Everdeen came from, this is the place to start.
Allen is a member of
the class of 2017.
