Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Movie Review - Room

Room is absolutely Oscar caliber. Wow. The book was excellent and now the movie brings it to the screen. The author adapted the screenplay and that bodes well for quality Wow – I am still blown away.
The premise – a young girl (age 17) is abducted and stuck in a garden shed that’s on lock down. She bears a baby from her kidnapper and we first meet them both in “room”. He’s turning five and she’s twenty-four. Brie Larson (Joy) deserves an Oscar hands down. Jacob Tremblay (Jack) deserved a nomination.  The performances are touching, nuanced, and amazing.

She’s raised this boy without the “father” seeing him or being involved. She puts up with Old Nick’s visits and forced sex.(The boy goes to the closet).  She only has a skylight and television to remember the outside world and freedom. Now that Jack turns five she knows he is her link – her chance for them to escape. She has to explain concepts of the real world. At first he doesn’t grasp it, but then thinks things through. He’s reading Alice in Wonderland and she equates some of the concepts.  She works up an escape plan (I won’t give away details). And it works (this is not a huge reveal) but has consequences.

The second part of the movie is about re-adaptation to the real world for her, and new adaptation to a whole new world for Jack. Who does better?  I’m sure you can guess but the journey is fascinating and well done. Joan Allen as Joy’s mom is always excellent. She thought she lost her daughter and now she’s back. There are lawyers, media,  etc to deal with. The world has moved on while Joy was stuck in the “room”.  For Jack, that was his “world”.

Room is touching and gives one perspective. I can’t emphasize enough how well acted this movie is. You feel for Joy. And Jack is a revelation. ..he’s a newborn at age five.  Wow. I keep saying Wow. Trust me – join me in saying Wow! It’s a tough subject and yet (I’ll give this away) it ends well. There’s hope for all.



12 comments:

  1. Hi Joanne - we could have seen this at the weekend - but opted for Revenant .. but I keep hearing about Room - so will add it to the list of "to sees".

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. curious how you liked Revenant. It sounds like Leo should win, but the movie sounds rather brutal. I keep putting it off. You won't regret seeing Room.

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  2. We saw this not too long ago. My husband and I were both blown away with how riveting this story was. It really is unlike any other movie. Nice review.

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    1. thanks. Glad you found it as stunning as I did. Believe me, the book was so gripping and the movie realized the vision.

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  3. I heard it was really powerful but wow, such a tough subject matter. To think there are people who really go through such things.

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  4. I read the book. You get lost in the story.

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    1. you will find the movie to be a very good version

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  5. I've heard it's such a powerful movie, and your review makes me want to see it even more. I saw your response when Hilary mentioned Revenant. I would've much rather seen The Room instead, but I haven't found anyone else who agrees with me. Another insightful review, Joanne!

    Julie

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  6. This is the first I've heard of this movie. Tough, tough concept, but it sounds compelling.

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