"Winter's Bone" is worthy sister film to "Frozen River"

Just finished "Winter's Bone" on Blu-Ray, which is probably the best way to watch this movie--meaning it's not a movie that needs to be seen on the big screen to be appreciated. (Rant warning ahead!) It received a limited run here in Metro Detroit out at the Landmark Maple Theatre, which I really dislike for it's horribly outdated facilities and is one of the reasons I didn't see it when it was released theatrically.

As for the film itself, it reminded me a lot of another previous Sundance winner, "Frozen River." Both are rural, winter set stories about poor women flirting with crime to save their homes and families. The big difference is the age of the protagonists. Melissa Leo in "Frozen River" is a middle aged mom trying to undo the damage left behind from her husband's disappearance, while "Winter's Bone" is about a young woman, Jennifer Lawrence (whose career is about to take off, much like Leo who is now getting Oscar buzz for "The Fighter"), trying to find her missing drug making father while trying to decide what to do with the rest of her life.

Needless to say both movies would make a fascinating double feature. Neither of these movies are masterpieces, but should be seen by anyone who appreciates well crafted character studies that double as offbeat crime thrillers.

For more on the movie:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter%27s_bone
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1399683/
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10012136-winters_bone/