Down to the Bone (2004)

To me, this movie is perfection.

I'll tell you why so serious

Highly Overrated But Still Good

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Down to the Bone has a really gritty, shot on video feel that makes you feel like a voyeur as you watch Farmiga attempt to cope with her drug addiction and motherhood. The movie makes you feel like you are going through somebody's garbage. Some might see this as a strength; it does feel very realistic. However, I never cared much about the characters or what they were trying to do. The comparison I would make is to the HBO series "The Corner", but that brought out more feelings in me than simple awkwardness. This movie is like peeking through somebody's window - and the window is always there, as a barrier keeping you from engaging with the characters. I also could have done without the shot of the snake killing the live mouse. They didn't have to do that; it was cruel and unnecessary.

Most of us watch films to be entertained in one way or another, and entertainment implies enjoyment. That said, sometimes "enjoyment" is not one the mind as more realistic, perhaps more honest films unspool lives destroyed by drugs or alcohol.Down To The Bone is such a film, a frank portrait concerning the insidious drag of drug addiction, about the social and personal trap that occurs when a debilitating drive becomes so strong a life is in shreds; Vera Farmiga won an award for her performance as an addicted mother of two who can no longer connect with her husband and little wonder (he's not terribly sensitive or reflective); her job is a dead-end, and a side romance turns into another addiction; the film is not a cheerer-upper in any way, is not strong on plot or action, but captures perfectly the life of someone hopelessly strung out; if you might find this an interesting slice of life to watch, perhaps you will enjoy it or even exult in it's power.It's not always easy to define Entertainment, and though this is not much fun, it's certainly incisive about it's subject matter, and features another stunning performance from it's magnetic lead.

I have been watching Vera Farmiga these years and consider her one of the best actresses soaring in a higher altitude. She seems to be able to grab any role's soul she played and so convincingly delivered. Her facial expressions are always more believable than most of the female actors. There's a rare haunted subtlety that only a few female actors got and that subtlety is what I appreciated most. But somehow such essence might also limit herself if she tried to play comedy roles. Playing characters under extremely stressful or tough situations are where her strength founded. That might also be the answer to why she's so outstanding when playing roles in drama, suspenseful thriller, tragedy; those soul searching, self-destruction, struggling characters that would shock you to the bone and whip your soul.This movie is just like that. Vera Farmiga is a dark force on the silver screen you have to recognize seriously, a rare find in the already out-of-control pests infested Hollywood.

I just watched this film the other night and was very impressed with Vera Farmigas performance and the direction of the film. I never heard of the movie, I saw it at Best Buy and just bought it based on Vera Farmiga being in the film. The movie isn't a masterpiece but it is a great film and should be watched, if you are into independent movies or these type of movies. It is a low budget independent film that feels more realistic because of the way it was shot. Highly recommended. Vera Farmiga is definitely one to watch. Look forward to seeing her in other things. If you can find it at a rental store rent it. If not find it for sale and buy it well Worth it. It was only 14.99 at Best Buy.