Movie Review(s): Solitary Man/Winter's Bone

This long holiday weekend I was able to get to two independent films that I really wanted to see. Here are the reviews of the two films:

Solitary Man

Michael Douglas is known for his grimy characters, and this movie gives him one more go at it. This time, he plays playboy wannabe Ben Kalmen, a man who has fallen from grace due to some less than legal business maneuvers that cost him his family, business, and continue to haunt him in his day to day life.

There is a really strong supporting cast of Jenna Fischer (The Office), Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking), Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland), and even Danny DeVito. They add a nice touch to a movie that is really all about Michael Douglas.

The positives: This is a very well-acted movie. Every actor/actress was cast perfectly. It almost feels like you're watching some stage-play, and I mean that as a compliment.

The negatives: Why does anyone need to watch a despicable man run rampant and ruin people's lives for 90 minutes? No matter how well it's acted, this is a miserable little movie. It's like About Schmidt crossed with a Saw movie. Douglas' character is an emotional terrorist, and watching him spiral out of control is not enjoyable for 90% of the movie. I could see this movie being shown in film classes for the acting, but if you're in the mood for a feel good flick, you probably want to leave this Solitary Man alone. 6 out of 10.

Winter's Bone

The big winner at this year's Sundance Film Festival was Winter's Bone, which is, no pun intended, chilling to the core. I was so excited when this movie opened in Boston, and was so happy that it lived up to my high expectations.

First of all, before I get into plot, let me just say that the film's lead, Jennifer Lawrence, is going places - and an Oscar podium might be one of them. This is one of those breakout roles that's unforgettable. She portrays Ree Dolly, a 17 year-old sister who takes care of her two young siblings due to the father's absence and mother's mental illness.

This movie is, among many things, a showcase of living in poverty and how devastating it is. This is one of those movies that makes you look at your life and be thankful for what you've got. Ree Dolly has grown up far faster than any child should. Not only does she take care of her sister and brother, but she cooks, manages the money, and takes care of her sick mother. When her drug dealing father must show up for a court date or they will lose the house, she sets out on a dangerous quest to find him.

I won't spoil anything, but this movie is like a snowball rolling down a mountain. It starts out very slow (stick with it!) and quickly spirals out of control in the best way for viewers. While not in an urban setting (it's set in the Ozarks to be exact), this movie reminded me a lot of last year's Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire. Watching it you'll feel like a fly on the wall in a life you would never want. Through the misery though, this movie, like Precious, is inspirational in an odd, liberating way. This is a riveting must-see movie, especially for those who like an indie now and then. I would give it 8.5 out of 10.