Probing for Papa

Immediately after I began watching Winter's Bone I noticed its excellent cinematography and lighting. Right off the bat the film gives off a creepy feeling with its lack of color. Even hues that are supposed to be bright are muted, and the overcast conditions set the mood even further. As a drama filmmaker, I definitely loved this aspect of the movie; there were several scenes when I was wondering if someone/something would pop out of nowhere and startle me. Compared to Crooklyn, our previous film, the setting is significantly more open and spacious (and creepy).

This film does, however, share some major similarities with Spike Lee's film, such as the role of the parents vs. children. When Troy's mother died, she took on her responsibilities, becoming the woman of the house. In Winter's Bone Ree's mother is alive, but she is mentally ill, leaving Ree to take care of her younger brother and sister. Another key component found in both works is the dysfunctional family situation. Troy's parents often argued, to the point where her father walked out on the family for a short time. The main focus of Winter's Bone is Ree's mission to find her father. 

Everyone living at Ree's house is currently wedged between a rock and a hard place - if the father is not found and does not attend his trial, the family's house and land will be taken away. It's fair to say that he screwed them over by arranging this deal, listing the house as collateral for his bail. Worst of all, he is nowhere to be found as Ree goes on a wild goose chase in search of him. Everyone she confronts refuses to divulge a single word about his whereabouts, threatening to harm her if she doesn't leave them alone. 

One of my favorite aspects of this film and Crooklyn is the realistic plots. All of the events that occur on screen are not a far stretch from what people deal with everyday, not just in the city but in the rural country, and everywhere in between. Poverty is not limited to urban neighborhoods, and I can already see that Winter's Bone displays this nicely. Perhaps one could even say that Ree's situation is worse than Troy's, because she doesn't seem to have anyone who's compassionate and caring to turn to in such a desperate time. Everyone she has met so far is uptight and downright mean.

I'm extremely eager to see how this film progresses. Will Ree locate her dad? What will he have to say? Will he just choose to run away and leave his daughter's family in ruins? Time will tell.