Countless are those films that have been made about drug addiction, the struggles of addicts to stay clean, or the difficulties of trying to live a normal life in a society that is built to perpetually punish users rather than offer meaningful aid. Compared to any others that I can think of this variation of the micro-genre is especially low-key, with a slight and slowly developing plot, very sparing music to lend flavor, and a pointedly restrained tone that's built to let the story speak entirely for itself (and which in this case I think rather emphasizes how distinctly indie the production is). With all this in mind, 'Down to the bone' is above all a portrait of a woman attempting sobriety, with the fragile, endless path thereto laden with perils that could, and do, spell disaster with even the slightest misstep, and the innumerable burdens to follow. It's safe to say that like similar titles this is a decidedly downtrodden, depressing picture, and I'm of the opinion that this one otherwise doesn't necessarily make as big of an impression - but even so it's compelling, and duly well made, and worth checking out for those with a mind for titles of such a tenor.
It's noteworthy that this was perhaps the first major role for Vera Farmiga, appearing as troubled protagonist Irene. As with the overall tack of the feature her performance is notably subdued, yet particularly as the length draws on and more discrete events build the plot out, I think she shows a measure of unpolished nuance that in time would help to make her the recognizable star that she is now. Similarly, this was the first full-length film of Debra Granik, who several years later would make Oscar-nominated 'Winter's bone.' Her direction, like Farmiga's performance, feels a smidgen unrefined to me, as if Granik was maybe still finding her voice as a filmmaker, but nonetheless she orchestrates shots and scenes, and ties the whole together, with a firm vision that I appreciate. The same kind of goes for the screenplay she penned with co-writer Richard Lieske; it's not that there's a specific weakness, nor incomplete in any way, but arguably just lacks the finesse that would help the whole to make more of a mark. Then again, given the subject matter, a dash of roughness may be appropriate: working class characters in a small town whose complicated lives are made more so as addiction rears its head, and the road to getting clean; unremarkable but real dialogue, accentuating the hardships; stark scene writing that punctuates a like-minded, gradual narrative of the hard-fought effort to build a life free from drugs.
Where music does dot the soundtrack it's only for singular moments that underscore the scene, and I admire the approach. Those operating behind the scenes turned in fine work in all regards, with Michael McDonough's soft but personal cinematography perhaps being most noteworthy. Still, what strength 'Down to the bone' carries is dependent on the writing and direction - that is, chiefly Granik - and star Farmiga. And I can only reiterate that while no part of this trifecta is necessarily perfectly cultivated, the underlying foundation is there, and the feature is served well by it. Unless one is a huge fan of someone involved I don't think it's super special, and it's worth reiterating the piecemeal manner of plot development. One way or another, I readily see the earnest storytelling and film-making that this boasts, and it's solidly engrossing as the length advances. It might not be something one needs to go out of their way to see, and between the material and the tone it won't appeal to all. If you do have the chance to watch, however, and are receptive to such fare, then I think 'Down to the bone' is worth checking out on its own merits.
It's noteworthy that this was perhaps the first major role for Vera Farmiga, appearing as troubled protagonist Irene. As with the overall tack of the feature her performance is notably subdued, yet particularly as the length draws on and more discrete events build the plot out, I think she shows a measure of unpolished nuance that in time would help to make her the recognizable star that she is now. Similarly, this was the first full-length film of Debra Granik, who several years later would make Oscar-nominated 'Winter's bone.' Her direction, like Farmiga's performance, feels a smidgen unrefined to me, as if Granik was maybe still finding her voice as a filmmaker, but nonetheless she orchestrates shots and scenes, and ties the whole together, with a firm vision that I appreciate. The same kind of goes for the screenplay she penned with co-writer Richard Lieske; it's not that there's a specific weakness, nor incomplete in any way, but arguably just lacks the finesse that would help the whole to make more of a mark. Then again, given the subject matter, a dash of roughness may be appropriate: working class characters in a small town whose complicated lives are made more so as addiction rears its head, and the road to getting clean; unremarkable but real dialogue, accentuating the hardships; stark scene writing that punctuates a like-minded, gradual narrative of the hard-fought effort to build a life free from drugs.
Where music does dot the soundtrack it's only for singular moments that underscore the scene, and I admire the approach. Those operating behind the scenes turned in fine work in all regards, with Michael McDonough's soft but personal cinematography perhaps being most noteworthy. Still, what strength 'Down to the bone' carries is dependent on the writing and direction - that is, chiefly Granik - and star Farmiga. And I can only reiterate that while no part of this trifecta is necessarily perfectly cultivated, the underlying foundation is there, and the feature is served well by it. Unless one is a huge fan of someone involved I don't think it's super special, and it's worth reiterating the piecemeal manner of plot development. One way or another, I readily see the earnest storytelling and film-making that this boasts, and it's solidly engrossing as the length advances. It might not be something one needs to go out of their way to see, and between the material and the tone it won't appeal to all. If you do have the chance to watch, however, and are receptive to such fare, then I think 'Down to the bone' is worth checking out on its own merits.