I finished a re-read of Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell, something I’ve been meaning to do with the movie coming up real soon. This isn’t a review just a conversation starter for those that have read it. For those that haven’t yet read it. Do so.
A couple of things came to mind after reading it.
Considering how fucked up on pain killers Ree is for most of the 2nd half of the book and how unaware she is of what’s happening around her it should be interesting to see how the movie handles this.
Also I think that John Hawkes is going to do a world of good as Teardrop bringing a depth to the character that may not be there in the book. Teardrop in the book is, dare I say, a little thin as character. Stress on little. He’s presented as scary based on his scarred outward appearance and his reputation. But how much can you buy into a characters rep if you are just told he has one. Plus tying into the first point with Ree messed up so much in the truck during her time with Teardrop we lose an opportunity to get a better sense of him. Don’t get me wrong Teardrop is a great character so all I’m saying is that I think he is going to watch better then he reads and that I think that Hawkes will bring the menace back to where it was always intended to be with the character.
I don’t know, just thinking out loud. For any and all that already read it what do you think?
I just loved the book. Nobody creates a better atmosphere than Woodrell and in this book, he really gave us a hero to root for. Everything is stacked against her. His dialog is spot on, too. But it’s been several years. I should read it again before seeing the movie too.
Oh don’t get me wrong I love it too. But with the release of the movie so close it was hard to not think of it while reading so I just went with it.
I love John Hawkes, but I gotta say it was a curveball when I heard of his casting. That said, seeing the trailer, he does look like a helluva TD. I wonder a bit about the music infusion to the movie. I hope that doesn’t get in the way – it aint no O Brother Where Art Thou? Can’t wait though.
I love that they used local bands and local people in the cast. Megan saw it and said it was very, very good although you did miss his prose.
I got that Teardrop was fearsome just because everyone reacted to him that way. What I loved was the vulnerability of the character that Woodrell so subtly brought out.
http://www.avclub.com/articles/john-hawkes,41960/
Interview with John Hawkes where he expresses reservations about what happened to Teardrop in script rewrites.