Set in the Ozarks in the outlying communities of abject poverty and the meth trade, it is a bleak film about survival in a harsh environment. It's the story of growing up too soon and of harsh realities.
Ree is caring for her mentally ill mother, her 12 year old brother and her 6 year old sister. She is unable to attend school and has no visible means of support. Her father was a meth cook and has disappeared. She has less than a week to find him or they will lose the house they are living in.
In between trying to get the family fed and the kids to school, she tries to teach the younger ones how to hunt and cook so they can learn basic survival skills. In her spare time, she is poking around trying to find her father. She must ask questions of some very dangerous people, at great risk to her personal safety.
The acting is spectacular. The subject matter bleak, desperate and depressing. Even the cinematography intentionally minimizes the use of color. The film won several awards including some Academy award nominations.
As for if I "liked" it. I was entertained and it was a very well done film. I have a friend who grew up not far from this region. She's seen it and says it is spot-on, and not an exaggeration of life for some people in this area. Well, heck, that makes it even more depressing. My maternal instincts ran wild and I felt angry and protective and uncomfortable. I'm sure that's how we are meant to feel when we watch it. I didn't find it a "feel good" or uplifting movie, but it was powerful.
I wonder what else Jennifer can play...her characters of Ree in this movie, and Katniss in The Hunger games are very similar (unavailable mom, dead/missing father, sibs to look after, survival, a bleak life of poverty, courage and a willingness to risk her life for her family, and a sober, non-smiling persona throughout). She's a fine little actress. I wonder if she can play "happy". I hope so.
I loved both the book and the movie, and you're so right, it is bleak and depressing. Although I can't quote the source, I distinctly remember somebody telling me that much of the set is natural - there is no set - and that many of the extras - including one of Ree's siblings - are residents of the area. After seeing this movie, I begged Shoes to move over there so we could band together to work on rural poverty and he said: "1) You're crazy. 2) We've got rural poverty right here."
ReplyDeletesee...and my reaction would be to never go there because I would dive into the abyss of bleakness never to come out again.
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