Jennifer Lawrence is an actress who has had the privilege of working with some of the best minds over the years. She has collaborated with acclaimed filmmakers and has also been a part of the successful Hunger Games franchise.
The actress previously worked with big directors like Matthew Vaughn, Jodie Foster, and many more, but there is one filmmaker she cannot help but praise. Her role in this 2010 movie cemented her name as a serious actor, and it’s all because of the director’s genius.
The genius behind the camera: Debra Granik
The 2010 noir-thriller movie, Winter’s Bone, directed by Debra Granik, changed the trajectory of Jennifer Lawrence‘s career. It gave her the platform to showcase a serious performance, enabling her first ever Oscar nomination.
Lawrence’s performance in this coming-of-age film was a treat for fans; her raw acting, coupled with the movie’s complex themes, created magic. The actress, however, credits her director for the film’s success; in an interview with Pop Entertainment via Far Out, she called Granik “a genius beyond genius.”
Debra has a brain that’s not like ours, she has a mind that is on a whole other playing field.
The film was a total game-changer for the then young actress, but the Hunger Games star claimed that she could not follow the director’s style at first. It took her a while to get used to the unique filming aspect, and once she did, she realized that the female director was unlike anyone else.
It took me a while to get in sync with that because, for a while, it was like reading instructions, like this is just too smart for me. If I could only understand what the instructions meant, I could get this radio going, but I just don’t get it.
Eventually she got the hang of it and produced the masterpiece, that was her role as Ree Dolly. Her portrayal of a stubborn teen and vicious fighter, stunned the critics, and it became one of her best performances.
The creative mastermind of Winter’s Bone
Even though Lawrence went on to work with several other talented directors, her stint with Granik always stands out. Granik has often been regarded as one of the best filmmakers; her creative style of putting women’s voices at the forefront of her movies, remains unmatched.
Back in 2010, when the movie was released, female directors entering mainstream cinema were still rare. There were few examples, but this did not deter Granik, and eventually, this low-budget film ended up becoming a huge hit.
The skilled director has garnered a lot of praise for her astute vision and distinctive directing style. This combination of Granik’s genius with Lawrence’s acting ability created a match made in heaven. Fans are hopeful to someday witness this iconic duo create magic onscreen once again.
Watch Winter’s Bone on Amazon Prime Video.
