Meth and Murder in the Ozarks

Prior to her earning the coveted role of Katniss Everdeen in the blockbuster film adaptation of "The Hunger Games," Jennifer Lawrence turned in an incredible performance in the 2010 indie film "Winter's Bone." Lawrence earned a much deserved Oscar nomination for her work in one of the best movies of the last five years. Directed by Debra Granik and based on the novel of the same name, "Winter's Bone" is a rare cinematic experience that remains in your mind days after viewing.

Lawrence stars as Ree Dolly, a teenage girl looking after her little brother and sister in a shack in the woods. Her mother is present physically but remains in a daze following the disappearance of her husband, Jessup. After Jessup fails to show up for a court date, Ree is informed that her father put up the family's house to cover his bail. Unless he turns up in a week, the house is gone. This, of course, is a big problem, all the more so because Ree believes her father is dead. The rest of the film is a dark and dreary journey that Ree undertakes to prove her assumption.

It is no secret to Ree that her father is a meth cooker. Just about everyone Ree encounters in her trek is involved in the business of making and selling, and in some cases using, meth. Family plays a significant role in the film, as everyone in this region seems to be related in some way. But when the threat of the law is always nearby, family ties take a back seat to staying alive and out of prison.

Along the way, Ree comes across a gamut of frightening characters, none more so than her uncle, Teardrop. Played with a fierce intensity by the underrated John Hawkes, who also received an Oscar nomination, Teardrop advises Ree to not question her father's whereabouts. Despite his emaciated appearance, Teardrop is still an imposing figure who is more than willing to use violence when he deems it necessary. When he enters a room, people take notice. Once Teardrop's curiosity about what happened to his brother rises, he joins Ree on her quest. Together, Ree and Teardrop find more questions than answers, but despite several setbacks and one severe beating, Ree never falters.

Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes in "Winter's Bone"

Set in the backwoods of the Ozarks, "Winter's Bone" is a triumph of atmosphere and mood. The movie was shot on location in some of the poorest counties in Missouri, and the supporting characters appear  just as authentic as the gritty locale. What I love about movies like this is the feeling of authenticity. The  use of real locales and a mix of professional and amateur locals create an undeniable sense of realism, and every step of the way, we are aware of the dangers surrounding Ree. Still she forges on, and we wonder how in the hell she does it.

Rating (four star scale): ****
Available on Netflix Instant Streaming