Down to the Bone

In my humble opinion Debra Granik directed one of the highlights of my film year. Winters Bone (2009), winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, showed in some detail how the people that make up the Ozark society live out a bleak, almost destitute existence, the story is told through a 17 year-old girl who becomes ultimately responsible for her mother and her two younger siblings.

Life's not always easy!

My admiration for Winters Bone encouraged me to seek out Granik’s first feature film Down to the Bone (2005). In this she addresses the effects of drug addiction winning her the Dramatic Directing Award at 2004’s Sundance Film Festival. The story’s central character is Irene who struggles to raise her two sons, keep her stale marriage together and manage a long-term cocaine habit. Desperate to change her life around she books herself into rehab. While there she meets Bob a former addict and now a nurse. At first Bob is a great mentor but he hides a guilty secret and all too soon Irene realises they have more in common than she bargained for.

Another fine example of American independent cinema. This well crafted movie is blessed with a great performance from Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air 2009) as Irene, for which she won two Best Actress Awards. A stark disturbing film that gives the viewer very little respite, there for the grace of God…….