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Down to the Bone

Play trailer Poster for Down to the Bone R 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

What to Know

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 09/12/2017
A-
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... Go to Full Review Peter Travers Rolling Stone 01/06/2006
3/4
If there were an ounce of taste left in Hollywood, the magnificent Vera Farmiga would be a front-runner for the Best Actress Oscar. Go to Full Review G. Allen Johnson San Francisco Chronicle 12/16/2005
4/4
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. Go to Full Review Eric D. Snider EricDSnider.com 11/11/2006
B
The movie boasts a fantastic performance by Vera Farmiga and an exceedingly unhappy storyline. It's a movie you "appreciate" more than you "enjoy." Go to Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid 05/26/2006
3.5/4
The movie takes us down an unexpected path with riveting skill and a refreshing lack of easy answers. Go to Full Review Chris Hewitt St. Paul Pioneer Press 03/16/2006
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Georgan G 12/10/2023 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. See more 07/14/2019 Brilliant I think Vera (Irene) played the part brilliantly and is an inspiration to those in need to never give up well done xx See more ari v 11/17/2017 Very solid stuff. (Mild spoiler: Perhaps sometimes the kindest thing is indeed to leave for dead, the very person who helped save you.) See more 11/25/2015 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. See more 06/09/2014 '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!! See more 09/22/2013 It's not exactly enjoyable, but like those HBO specials about drug abuse, you can't turn away for a second. See more Read all reviews
Down to the Bone

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Debra Granik

Director

Vera Farmiga

Irene

Hugh Dillon

Bob

Clint Jordan

Steve

Taylor Foxhall

Jason

Debra Granik

Writer

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Down to the Bone

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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