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Winter’s Bone Movie Review
Nowadays, mass media highlights many social issues in order to involve people into pondering over the situation and search for possible solutions. Unfortunately, people do not always behave not in a decent way and their actions may turn to be harmful for the others, especially for those who represent the minority groups. The attitude of the dominant group towards a certain situation may lead to a discrimination and disrespect of the rights of others (Fiske, 2018). The American movie Winter’s Bone addresses important social aspects related to feminism and socioeconomic status, as well as uncovers the dark side of the USA province where the minority groups have to fight for their rights and freedoms.
Dominant and Minority Groups Representatives
The drama Winter’s Bone is a vivid description of the genuine countryside life hardships. Ree, a young woman, represents a minority group in the context of feminism and social position. She lives with her disabled mother and two younger siblings in an old and poor house in the woods. Her father has got in a jail and now he is missing, so she has to do all the men work herself. Through the film, she has to encounter the rudeness and cruelty of the society with patriarchy rules and women being loyal to it and supporting the discrimination. The community is organized in the way that men are involved in the business, while their wives are assisting them in everything. The feminism question is sharply arisen when Ree’s friend obeys to the orders and wishes of her husband, even though she used to have a different attitude in the past. In addition, all main characters displayed in the movie suffer from economic crisis because they can barely earn their living. The land is out of the policy of regionalism, and the locals take no steps to assist the poor in having a chance for a better life. Winter’s Bone accurately depicts the harsh reality of being a minority in social environment where one can exist only using their own hands.
On the contrary to Ree’s family who works honestly to earn their living, the movie shows other country dwellers who have chosen to lead the criminal life by manufacturing and selling drugs. Actually, Ree’s deceased father also participated in those illegal affairs. Such men act like the masters and dominate in their families. The decision they make is the final and only one respected. They do not mind hurting or killing anyone, as they suppose they are the only ones who deserve to be on the top of the group. Although the antagonists do not present the high society environment, they outlive the others by physical power and terror. As such, the movie clearly distinguish between the dominant group of men that do not mind the interests of the others and the minority group of women that work hard to earn their living.
Dominant and Minority Groups Behavior
The behavior of dominant groups remains arrogant and mean from the start to the end of the movie. The men do not fear a thing, because they believe that the clan will defend them. The majority of them treats the women as secretaries and servants. Nevertheless, the last ones do not mind this social inequality because they can show their own dominance over the people like Ree. They rely on the protection from their men’s side and take their anger out on those who have no one to stand for. The dominants in the film establish their policy and make everyone follow it and obey to their decisions.
As for the representatives of the minority group, they do not change a lot their position throughout the movie. Women tend to embody the role of subordinates and live on the lower level of society (McAfee, 2018). They find it easier to server the “strong” and show their respect by abusing the “weak” (Vorauer Quesnel, 2018). They live with the label of victim, because they realize that their life should be laid down to fulfill the wishes of their men. As for Ree’s friend, she sees the family as a union where a husband is always right and her only duty is caring for him and being a good mother for their child. The main characters do nothing to change the regionalism policy, even through their homes have transformed into the garbage dump. The movie demonstrates the place where the women have no right to take their own decisions.
Social Concepts
The problem of poverty is the most prominent concept emphasized in Winter’s Bone. Such a low socioeconomic status can lead to deep depression, aggression and unthoughtful actions (Dow, Schoeni, Adler, Stewart, 2010). Ree’s family is bankrupt and she is the only person who is able to feed and take care of her sick mother, twelve-year-old brother and six-year old sister. In order to survive she teaches her siblings to hunt and cook. Every day she chops the woods to keep the house warm. They accept every help they are offered, but at the same time Ree never asks first. Neighbors try to support them by some cash and things. Despite the hunger and frustrating life conditions, the children try to find happiness in simple things like playing in hay or riding old toy horses. The children demonstrate their connection, reliability and loyalty to their family. The movie shows that even through the socioeconomic status matters a lot, the family can be strong regardless of any difficulties.
One more key concept that is implemented in the film is the question of life and death. There are two moments that clearly show the attitude of the main heroes to their existence. The first one happens when the beaten Ree is asking her executors if she is going to be assassinated. Thus, she sees the possible solution for her family to start a better life, but she does not realize that if she is gone then there is no one to care for them. Nevertheless, when her uncle gives her a second chance, she understands how important her role is in the family. Sometimes, a person needs time to think over the death in order to find the incentives to live (Trettenero, 2017). Also, when Ree’s uncle informs her that he knows who killed her father, it becomes clear that he goes for revenge and sacrifices himself for the honor of his brother and wellness of the family. He is aware that he chooses death, but he thinks that it is worth to sacrifice his life for it. In the end, Ree is sure that she has found the reason to move further, as she has people who need her.
Historical Background of Discrimination
Winter’s Bone describes the social phenomena that have existed through ages. The issue of social inequality has been actual even during ancient epochs where slavery and human trade were a usual thing. The problem began to gradually reduce, but the informal social division is still maintained. The inequality is seen through racism, sexism, ageism, appearance discrimination among others (Dorling, 2015). People constantly seek for a reason to single out a society member and show that they do not fit in. There are various backgrounds for people to behave this way. Some demonstrate their negative attitude because of fear to be rejected themselves, while others act unfairly because their parents acted that way (Dorling, 2015). Moreover, by shaming other social groups, some individuals gain the feeling of superiority and power. Discrimination can be even a vigorous political weapon, which can trigger conflicts and wars (Isioma, 2016). Winter’s Bone comprises the modern attitude to inequality and shows its influences on the social environment.
The current state of affairs does not satisfy the society as it threatens people’s safety. The issue has initiated the countermeasures and a search for the solution strategies. In school, children are taught on the importance to equally treat all people. Social advertisements penetrate into the souls of dominant groups and make them analyze their attitudes and actions towards the minorities. Activists regularly conduct social events in order to improve the communication, support and trust between social groups. In the future, the work with children should be continued and there should be no restriction for any social members to enter any institution. All citizens should be treated equally and feel secure. Media will remain an effective mean in shedding the light on the cases of discrimination and minimizing their occurrences. Humanity should leave prejudice behind to provide equal opportunities for everyone.
Personal Impression
Getting to my subjective perception of Winter’s Bone, I regard this movie as a great teaching tool and drives attention to the most prominent problems of the modern society. The hardship of Ree who has to correct father’s mistakes helps audience overthink their own lives. The description of drug dealers as fallen and miserable personages can be interpreted as the doomed lifestyle. The poverty on the screen makes audience appreciate their current environment, family and friends. Moreover, abusers can see themselves in antagonists and analyze their hatred, while victims can learn how to be stronger and braver. The film has a changing impact on society and is recommended for the ones who are willing to broaden their views. It shows the distribution of forces between the dominant and minority groups and makes one think about the issues related to feminism and low-incomed families.
Conclusion
Winter’s Bone takes the audience through the life of the family that has trouble but manages to overcome the obstacles that other social groups are putting for them. The picture uncovers the social phenomena and demonstrates the acts of injustice and dominance. The stronger groups make everyone else follow their rules, even if they are not fair. On the other hand, victims put up with their position and support their leaders to remain on the safe side. The only one who dares to stand against the system is Ree, who sacrifices herself in the name of change and comfort for her near and dear. The movie points to a number of social problems in a realistic and accurate way.
