A glimpse into the private lives and dirty secrets of people trying to claw their way to a better place.
Down to the Bone (2004)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:30
Fresh:28
Rotten:2
Average Rating:7.6/10
Consensus: A vivid portrayal of the effects of drug abuse that avoids cinematic clichés, Down to the Bone is a winning effort by first-time director Debra Granik and features a breakout performance by Vera Farmiga.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for pervasive drug content, language and some sexuality.
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Nov 25, 2005 Limited
Synopsis: Last year's Sundance Film Festival honored DOWN TO THE BONE with two high-profile, prestigious and extremely competitive awards: Best Director and A Special Jury Prize for acting. A stellar entry... Last year's Sundance Film Festival honored DOWN TO THE BONE with two high-profile, prestigious and extremely competitive awards: Best Director and A Special Jury Prize for acting. A stellar entry in the Dramatic Competition, writer/director Debra Granik, in her feature film debut, and actress Vera Farmiga became the talk of the Festival and the indie film community. In DOWN TO THE BONE, Irene (Vera Farmiga) is a working class mother living in upstate New York. She struggles to keep her marriage together and raise two sons while keeping her cocaine addiction a secret. After a series of nearly fatal mishaps, and finally hoping to make a change in her life, she decides to check herself into a rehab center. She knows kicking the habit would be tough, but the experience proves even more difficult than she could have anticipated. There, she meets and falls in love with a fellow reformed addict (Hugh Dillon). When one of them falls into a relapse with the addiction, their commitment to staying clean - and to each other - shatters. This beautifully wrought film accurately and authentically explores the wrenching road of recovery without ever resorting to histrionics. DOWN TO THE BONE is based upon Debra Granik's 1997 short film, "Snake Feed," which won the Sundance Film Festival's Short Filmmaking Award in 1998. --© Laemmle/Zeller Films [More]
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Hugh Dillon, Clint Jordan, Caridad De La Luz
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Hugh Dillon, Clint Jordan, Caridad De La Luz
Director: Debra Granik
Director: Debra Granik
Producer: Susan Leber
Get This Movie
Reviews for Down to the Bone
Unlike most movies about addictions, Down to the Bone doesn't follow the usual, comforting three-act structure -- social user develops a problem, user becomes a desperate addict, user finally gets some help.
Any sympathy developed for the characters quickly erodes as they continue to not only engage in self-destructive behavior but expose children to it.
First-time feature director's disciplined objectivity is coupled with humanism in this collaboration with a gifted cast and cinematographer.
This film has an ear for the way moms talk to kids, a sensitivity to drug-sweetened intimacies, and an appreciation of the urgent nuance, not just the comedy, of recovery-speak.
It's the opposite of most films about drugs vs. life because it puts life up front.
Whether you're ready for the ride depends on whether you're looking for traditional filmic fare, or whether you're in the mood to be dragged into the depths of depression.
Granik brings to her drama a clear-eyed realism as she charts one woman's descent into a drug-fueled purgatory.
For actress Vera Farmiga, Down to the Bone presents her with a breakout role.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Down to the Bone at Rotten Tomatoes
- Down to the Bone at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

MSN Movies offers a little background on the success of Disney Animation.

TIME takes a look back at the history of vampires on film.

Techland examines the visual splendor of Peter Jackson's upcoming film.

AOL put together a list of 10 recent news items that would be perfect as TV Movies.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic


