Local movie star returns home

• John Hawkes

John Hawkes

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The upcoming new movie, Winter’s Bone, may not be the heartwarming, feel-good movie of the season, but to John Hawkes, “It’s the best movie I’ve been in.”

Hawkes, a 1977 graduate of Jefferson High School, stars as Uncle Teardrop in the movie, which won Best Picture (grand jury prize) and Best Screenplay (Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award) at the Sundance Film Festival.

Hawkes is the son of Patricia Perkins of Alexandria and Pete Perkins of Austin, Texas.

Winter’s Bone, based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell, opens at the Midway Mall Cinema 9 this Friday, July 23.

In an interview Monday afternoon, Hawkes described his character as intense and unlike any character he’s ever played before.

The film, according to Hawkes, is about a 17-year-old girl, his character’s niece, who lives in the Ozarks and is in search of her father. She must find him in order to save their homestead.

His character is seemingly an obstacle for the young girl, who Hawkes said, “Has to grow up fast.”

“I enjoyed the role because the movie is good and the people I worked with are so good,” said Hawkes. He noted, however, that the movie, rated R, is not for children by any means.

He also said, “It was difficult to play such a dark person, but it was worth it. It’s definitely a great movie.”

Hawkes is joined by Jennifer Lawrence, who plays his niece, Ree, along with Kevin Breznahan, Dale Dickey, Garret Dillahunt, Sheryl Lee and Tate Taylor.

David Denby from The New Yorker had this to say about Hawkes in a reivew: “Lawrence’s acting is matched by the veteran character actor Dale Dickey, who plays the wife of the clan’s crime boss with an uncanny bitter intensity and by John Hawkes, [Uncle Teardrop], who at first seems antagonistic and wasted – no one has ever dragged on a cigarette with greater need – but becomes something else: Ree’s protector and a moral man unafraid of death.”

Hawkes has starred in a variety of movies, including Me, You and Everyone We Know, American Gangster, Miami Vice, Identity, Playing God, From Dusk ‘til Dawn, Hardball and The Perfect Storm.

He also played in a couple of episodes of the final season of the hit-television show, Lost, along with starring in HBO’s critically acclaimed series, Deadwood.

Currently, Hawkes also has a role on another HBO series, Eastbound and Down.

Meet and greet planned

The Alexandria Area Arts Association and Midway Mall Cinema 9 have planned an event highlighting Hawkes and his new film scheduled for this Friday, July 23.

Hawkes, who was known as John Perkins when he went to school in Alexandria, will be on hand at an exclusive showing of the movie at noon on Friday at Cinema 9.

The downtown arts theater and Cinema 9 are partnering together for a light lunch, movie premiere and a “meet and greet” with Hawkes. He’s also scheduled to introduce the movie at other showings that day, he said.

The proceeds from the event are being donated to the AAAA Theatre.

There are only 250 tickets available and the cost is $10 per ticket.

Tickets are available at the AAAA box office from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Either call the office at (320) 762-8300 or stop by at 618 Broadway.

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