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

Don't Call it a Swan Song

On the surface, “Small Town Murder Songs” is a police procedural involving the death of a young woman. What makes the film so engaging is that the murder serves as a backdrop to one man’s efforts at a small measure of redemption.

The story is set in a cold, desolate Mennonite town in northern Ontario. The characters seem rooted in place, and indeed the town seems to keep even those with reasons to leave from even making an attempt to escape.

The film’s protagonist is Walter, the town’s sheriff. Walter is attempting to put his violent past and short temper behind him. However, the townspeople seem unwilling to forgive him. Walter is constantly met with nervous glances and disapproval, and even he seems unsure about whether his efforts are sincere. He finds hope in the Catholic Church and a woman who is aware of his questionable past but who appears to have also been through some hard times.

Walter’s plan for redemption is to surround himself with anything and anyone he can to keep his anger at bay, but the discovery of the dead woman sets into motion a series of events that threaten to bring Walter’s recovery to a screeching halt. Walter suspects from the outset that his past lover’s creepy boyfriend was involved in the killing, and there is quite a bit of evidence to support his case. The ex is played by Jill Hennessey with a combination of fear and anger towards Walter. It becomes evident early on that a violent incident occurred between the two, raising doubt about the validity of Walter’s suspicion of his ex’s boyfriend.

The murder investigation is fairly straightforward and presents few twists, but the movie doesn’t have to rely on it for suspense. The tension comes from Walter’s character, and Peter Stormare does an excellent job of making us feel sorry for Walter when he may not deserve our sympathy. By the end of the film, the new life Walter has attempted to build for himself is about to come crashing down.

“Small Town Murder Songs” is not without its flaws. Despite its 75-minute running time, some scenes tend to drag, and the end is not what many viewers would have hoped for. There really isn’t a happy ending to be written for a small town murder song.

*Available at Redbox and Netflix Instant Streaming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB22oo_f8g0

Take Shelter

A Storm on the Horizon

“Take Shelter” begins with a storm. Curtis LaForche stands in his driveway and looks up at ominous clouds just as it begins to rain, the drops brown and oily. This will be the first of many visions Curtis has throughout the duration of “Take Shelter,” and they grow increasingly violent and disturbing. He also begins to suffer from vivid nightmares. In one, the peaceful family dog attacks him, and Curtis feels the pain in his arm the following day. As his nightmares begin to involve those closest to him, he grows more suspicious and unstable.

This is a brilliant piece of filmmaking by Jeff Nichols, due in large part to the Academy Award-worthy performance by Michael Shannon as Curtis. Shannon and Nichols previously collaborated on the 2007 film “Shotgun Stories,” which centered on a blood feud between two sets of brothers in Arkansas. “Take Shelter” has much in common with that film but is much more visceral and intense.  

Set in present-day rural Ohio, Curtis has what his best friend Dewart calls a good life. His situation is certainly admirable, as he has a loving wife, played by the dependable Jessica Chastain, and a beautiful young daughter. The family is not without its problems. The couple’s daughter is deaf, but a surgical procedure offers hope for her. This puts a strain on the family’s finances, which are the product of Curtis’s construction job and his wife’s handmade quilts.

As Curtis’s nightmares and apocalyptic visions intensify, he becomes more of a threat to himself and his family. It is revealed midway through the film that Curtis’s mother was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia when she was around his age. He suspects that he may be suffering from mental illness, and his low income and rural surroundings don’t give him much of an opportunity to seek professional help.

Despite his visiting a doctor and sessions with a cheap therapist, Curtis becomes increasingly obsessed with the storm he sees coming. He begins to expand on the storm shelter in his back yard, borrowing his employer’s equipment and spending large amounts of money on making sure the shelter is well stocked and equipped for a disaster. People in town, including his wife and Dewart, begin to question his sanity, yet his wife does her best to support with him through the ordeal. In one of the film’s best scenes, Curtis explodes in a shocking act of anger and paranoia at a community dinner.

Some may find “Take Shelter” to be a bit slow, but if you appreciate great acting, cinematography, and storytelling, then it’s a must-see. “Take Shelter” is unsettling, eerie, and will stick with you days after viewing. It is certainly worth checking out.

Available at Redbox

Take Shelter Official Trailer