Down to the Bone (2004)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Debra Granik

Writers:

Jean-Michel Dissard (additional writer)
Debra Granik (writer)

Release Date:

18 March 2005 (Austria)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Old Habits Die Hard

Plot:

A woman stuck in a stale marriage struggles to raise her children and manage her secret drug habit. But when winter comes to her small town, her balancing act begins to come crashing down.

Plot Keywords:

Cocaine | Drug Rehabilitation | Snake | Based On Short Film | Drug Addiction

Awards:

7 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Vera Farmiga	...	Irene
Hugh Dillon	...	Bob
Clint Jordan	...	Steve
Caridad 'La Bruja' De La Luz	...	Lucy (as Caridad De La Luz)
Jasper Daniels	...	Ben (as Jasper Moon Daniels)
Taylor Foxhall	...	Jason
Giles Penderghast	...	Pet Store Clerk
Terry McKenna	...	Gene
Richard Lieske	...	Richard
Hector Vasquez	...	Hector
Joel Saeks	...	Lars
Lori Berryman	...	Acupuncture Therapist
Walt Bolde	...	Walt
Edward Crawford	...	Kevin
Gia Mitchell	...	April

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive drug content, language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R | Australia:M | Ireland:16

Filming Locations:

Bearsville, New York, USA

Company:

Down to the Bone Productions

Trivia:

Extension of Sundance Film Festival Award Winning Short SNAKEFEED.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2005) (TV)

A thoroughly compelling film, poignant and full of pathos

"Down to the Bone", Debra Granik's first effort at Directing a feature film, deals with the issue of drug addiction without making any moral judgments. Ms. Granik's director style is clearly influenced by Cinema Verite, and embodies some neo-realist elements. The film follows the protagonist, Irene (powerfully played by Vera Farmiga), as her cocaine habit begins to wreak havoc in her life. Amidst the bleakness and despair of her life, Irene still struggles to hold down her job, and keep her family together. Naturally, things begin to fall apart--but even as they do, she has a chance meeting with Bob (Hugh Dillon), which presages the relationship will later become the outlet for Irene from her dreary and disquieting domestic life. After Irene tries to spend her kid's birthday money on drugs, she has a moment of epiphany, and decides to check herself into a rehab clinic. It is there that she re-encounters Bob, who works as a male nurse. A former junkie, Bob is able to both sympathize and empathize with Irene's withdrawal symptoms, and soon it becomes manifest that there is a mutual attraction between them. After some fits and starts, this blossoms into a romance. The affair is depicted without sentimentality or judgment, and there is much verisimilitude in the various awkward moments that occurs as

both Irene and Bob make the choice to proceed despite the risks. Just when it looks as though Bob and Irene will live happily ever after, Bob relapses to his heroin habit. More out of pique than curiosity, Irene joins him. When they get busted with possession, Irene faces a crossroads. She still loves Bob, but can she afford to keep him in her life? The cinematography in the film helps to define the stylist niche. The travails of living in upstate New York during the depths of Winter are made manifest. There are various shades of gray and blue so bleak that there is a chilling beauty to the scenery. At other times, the camera pans over the detritus of America's consumerist society, and vapid patriotism. The film touches many dissonant notes, yet does not become cacophonous. Ultimately the viewer is left with more questions than answers. This, of course, is in marked contrast to the standard Hollywood fare, where all off the loose ends are magically tied together in the last five minutes. This film marks a promising debut to Ms. Granik's feature film Directorial career, and Independent Film aficionados should eagerly await her next effort.