The "ten slate" guarantee is that the year's indies will be nominated for best picture. Last year certainly had Precious and An Education. I'd even go so far as to say The Hurt Locker and District Nine fell into the indie realm despite their budgets and backers. Up in the Air, which I greatly enjoyed, seemed more of the "don't I look like an indie?" ilk normally reserved for Fox Searchlight -- this time it was Paramount.
This year, the "cozy" indie goes to The Kids Are All Right taking An Education's slot whereas The Winter's Bone takes the "egad!" Precious spot.
Winter's Bone is the disturbing would be FX/AMC series of Ozark meth-country where the cast of Deliverance has settled into a life of cabin having, rust car loving, squirrel eating ways. What better way to guide the audience through this cinematically neglected slice of Americana than with a plot about missing man, an overdue mortgage payment, and an older sister who just won't stand down -- perfectly played by Jennifer Lawrence.
While Nicole Kidman, Michelle Williams, Halle Berry, and Julianne Moore -- half pleased, half pissed -- wondered whether they would make it to the big dance, Jennifer Lawrence sat comfortably in the knowledge that she had an actress nomination in the bag. Our guide through the Methropolitan Museum got her nose bloodied more than once and seemed like she could lose her life at any moment -- or worse yet, a limb or digit! She comfortably carried this heavy film equivalent of August: Osage from start to finish, with nary a mis-step -- despite the carcasses, shell-casings, and strewn auto parts in her way.
Much like little Hailee Steinfeld, Ms. Lawrence has arrived. She's swooped in like a young, Monster-ous Charlize, without the ugly. Jennifer's Oscar chances seem impossible. She will have to rest comfortably with the trophies she's already amassed -- and a possible Independent Spirit Win -- not a bad year. It's a great kick-off to what will most certainly be an excellent career. Hats off, JL.
The other nominee who deserves a down-home salute is supporting actor John Hawkes. Nothing pleases me more than a career actor who finally gets his due at the Oscars. A win isn't necessary to cap off the work of a man like Hawkes -- partially because we know we'll see him in ten films, television series, and even on stage next year alone. Academy recognition is all that matters to a man like Hawkes -- a man whose consistent quality is that of David Straithairn or William H. Macy. The time may come. If it doesn't his staggering resume will be achievement enough.
Congrats to this off-beat indie and its broad success. With a picture nom, actress, supporting actor, and screenplay to boot, Winter's Bone is nothing to shake a stick at -- unless you want a methed out psycho to grab that stick from you, beat you to death, and chuck your body in the nearest ditch.
And when you get right down to it folks -- nobody doesn't like Sheryl Lee. You've half won me over any time Laura Palmer steps on-screen!
- Matthew J. McCue
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