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Down to the Bone

Play trailer Poster for Down to the Bone R Released Jan 15, 2004 1h 41m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Irene (Vera Farmiga) is an upstate New York mother of two, married, holds a job as a supermarket checker, and is a cocaine addict. Her husband (Clint Jordan) is also a drug user, but does not support Irene's decision to enter rehab and clean up her life after she realizes how her drug use affects the children. In rehab she meets Bob (Hugh Dillon), a nurse whose sobriety success story further inspires her. But Irene soon finds beating addiction holds greater consequences than addiction itself.
Down to the Bone

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Critics Consensus

A vivid portrayal of the effects of drug abuse that avoids cinematic clichés, Down to the Bone is a winning effort that features Vera Farmiga's breakout performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Though it runs slow at times, Down To The Bone showed more the emotional dehabilitation rather than the obvious physical ware drugs took on a small town mom... Rated: A- Sep 12, 2017 Full Review Peter Travers Rolling Stone If there were an ounce of taste left in Hollywood, the magnificent Vera Farmiga would be a front-runner for the Best Actress Oscar. Rated: 3/4 Jan 6, 2006 Full Review G. Allen Johnson San Francisco Chronicle The film is so pitch perfect and realistic, it seems you are there with these people, watching their lives unfold before you as it happens. Rated: 4/4 Dec 16, 2005 Full Review Eric D. Snider EricDSnider.com The movie boasts a fantastic performance by Vera Farmiga and an exceedingly unhappy storyline. It's a movie you "appreciate" more than you "enjoy." Rated: B Nov 11, 2006 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid The movie takes us down an unexpected path with riveting skill and a refreshing lack of easy answers. Rated: 3.5/4 May 26, 2006 Full Review Chris Hewitt St. Paul Pioneer Press The movie seems to be about drug addiction and recovery, but it gradually shifts, becoming a look from an unusual angle at what a big job it is to be a parent and the priorities it requires. Rated: 3/4 Mar 16, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Georgan G Hated the topic. Loved the film. This is addiction inside, outside & turned around. The people are real, the situations are sad & watching the children was most difficult of all. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Brilliant I think Vera (Irene) played the part brilliantly and is an inspiration to those in need to never give up well done xx Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review ari v Very solid stuff. (Mild spoiler: Perhaps sometimes the kindest thing is indeed to leave for dead, the very person who helped save you.) Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This can be viewed as a somewhat sympathetic portrayal of drug addicts and the difficulties faced when trying to kick the habit. It could also be viewed as a warning for those not taking drugs habitually. Either way it is a strong piece of cinema filmed on a lower-grade roll of film. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member 'Down to the Bone' follows in the tradition of classic addiction and rehab movies (such as "Clean and Sober"), but it doesn't stoop to any clichés--It wouldn't be so good if it didn't look so bad... Struggling with Almost Insurmountable Demons!! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member It's not exactly enjoyable, but like those HBO specials about drug abuse, you can't turn away for a second. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Irene (Vera Farmiga) is an upstate New York mother of two, married, holds a job as a supermarket checker, and is a cocaine addict. Her husband (Clint Jordan) is also a drug user, but does not support Irene's decision to enter rehab and clean up her life after she realizes how her drug use affects the children. In rehab she meets Bob (Hugh Dillon), a nurse whose sobriety success story further inspires her. But Irene soon finds beating addiction holds greater consequences than addiction itself.
Director
Debra Granik
Producer
Susan Leber, Anne Rosellini
Screenwriter
Debra Granik, Richard Lieske
Rating
R (Language|Some Sexuality|Pervasive Drug Content)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 15, 2004, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Nov 25, 2005
Release Date (DVD)
Oct 31, 2006
Box Office (Gross USA)
$29.1K
Runtime
1h 41m