(83th Academy Awards) Best Picture Nominee: Winter's Bone

"I'd be lost without the weight of you two on my back. I ain't going anywhere," says 17-year-old Ree Dolly in the Oscar-nominated Winter's Bone. Jennifer Lawrence shines as the main character of this 2010 independent drama film based off a novel of the same name by Daniel Woodrell. The film takes place in the Ozarks where rustic poverty runs rampant and citizens are effected by the pandemonium of illicit drug labs. The movie follows Ree Dolly, a family girl who, albeit determined, is shaken by various encounters with her ruthless family and fellow urbanites. She takes care of her younger siblings and immobile mother, even taking matters into her own hands when the family home is seemingly being used for collateral for her father's bail unless he shows up for his court trial. Ree has resolved to find him herself.

Acting and set design really tie into one another here. Debra Granik, the film's writer and director, says that Jennifer Lawrence (the film's star) was given "very real settings in which to function" and "very real obstacles". She is a coming-of-age star who has shown her bold approach to this film by creating a gritty exterior to become more like her character, Ree Dolly. The fact that all of this actually occurs in our real life just puts more authenticity on her acting skills.

Many people talked about how they fell asleep during Winter's Bone, but I actually LOVED it. The film was a subtle thriller and may've not had much action but it just showed how peculiar blood ties are for some people. Simply put, though, I thought it was a fantastic film with a great cast and wonderful direction. Although I have to say, if it won for Best Picture, I wouldn't be happy. It deserved all of its nominations, but definitely not a Best Picture award.