Winter’s Bone is an example of what I would call the new indie movement. (Frozen River would be another example.) This “movement” is still just a film here and there, so I would not call it a “resurgence” of any kind, but at least these simple, high-quality little films are getting some critical recognition. Like Frozen River, Winter’s Bone shows the grim reality of life for individuals who are struggling against the odds and against the system to stay alive. It’s pretty well-written and the performances (mostly by no-name actors) are uniformly good. It’s a interesting and gripping story that really keeps you engaged throughout. The story does not transcend its material, like the best movies of the 90’s indie Renaissance, but it is still head and shoulders better than most of the dreck out there today.

I would definitely Netflix this film and check it out!