Wonderful performance from Lawrence in 'Winter’s Bone'

Director: Debra Granik

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Dale Dickey, Kevin Breznahan

Cert: 15

An early and fully deserved Oscar contender is the quite magnificent Lawrence, here playing to perfection the gritty 17-year-old Ree Dolly in a fine screen adaptation of Daniel Woodreel’s novel set in the Ozark Mountains.

Dolly is a one-off, a young girl who is the backbone of her dysfunctional family: mother is a mentally-scarred druggie, father has put the family shack up against his bail on a drug charge.

When she’s told her father has died and, anyway, she should shut up and go away, Ree goes against the code of the mountains - don’t tell anybody anything – and sets out to uncover the truth.

Granik captures the depressing and morally bankrupt atmosphere of the region, it’s hopelessness and poverty and brings us a strong, determined character in Rees, and young Lawrence shines throughout a gem of moviemaking.

Don’t miss it.

Star Rating: 5/5