Winter's Bone (2010)

Winter's bone didn't do a lot that impressed me. We "studied" it in my film class as an excellent example of the standard screenplay structure. There's a dream sequence at one point that was interesting because it was the first time the movie ever made me feel anything, rather than just telling it to me. The performances feel somewhat overplayed along with the whole backwoods vibe of the film. I have no clue what these communities are really like but none of the characters felt very real to me. I didn't pick up on any depth of theme, and the entertainment value wasn't there for me. I don't remember any technique that jumped out at me. The film's opening and closing sequences do an excellent job of bookending the film and setting the tone. I would recommend to anyone who's a fan of Jennifer Lawrence or likes narratives about the Ozarks.