Directed by: Lenny Abrahamson
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Running time: 117 minutes
Released: 2015
Distributed by A24 Films
Held captive for years in an enclosed space, a woman (Brie Larson) and her 5-year-old son (Jacob Tremblay) finally gain their freedom, allowing the boy to experience the outside world for the first time.
Room seems like a small-scale film, but it does so much with so little. Most of the film centers on just two characters, a mother and her son, and takes place inside of a small room. However, even with the seemingly small focus of the film, there are heavy internal struggles as they adjust to a completely different world and their new lives in it.
Half of the film centers around 5-year old Jack and his mother who is simply referred to as Ma and their lives as they are contained to a single 10-square foot room that they call ‘Room.’ Ma was kidnapped and held captive 7 years ago by a man they call Old Nick and has since had a son five years ago. There is a daring escape that is portrayed through Jack’s perspective and the film changes as Jack and his mother must adjust to a new life together.
A lot of the film focuses on Jack’s experiences as his whole world changes. He goes from thinking that the small room was the entire world to finding out there is so much more to see and experience in life. However, as wonderful as this new world is, it also frightens Jack and often he finds himself longing for the safety of Room. Jack shows the fears that people face when they are forced to leave their comfort zone and are thrust into a frightening new situation. Ma also faces her own battles, as she must readjust and come to terms with her circumstances after being a prisoner for 7 years. For so long, she had to be strong for Jack’s sake and after the escape, she begins to question herself and her relationships with her family.
Room is an amazing drama film. The internal struggles that each character goes through are extremely engaging. The acting does a great job in bringing out all of the emotions that each character goes through as each they try to find their place in a new life, particularly with Jack, played by Jacob Tremblay and Ma, played by Brie Larson. While half of the film was constrained to a small room, the film is really about a much bigger world.
While there have been numerous big name films this year, like The Martian and The Force Awakens, this film does not pale in comparison with any of them. This was a true heart-wrenching drama and I strongly recommend this film to everyone.
Author: Austin
Austin enjoys reading fantasy books and watching a variety of films from actions to dramas. In his free time, he can be found gaming.
Soudha Parsan says
This one sounds really good. I can't wait to watch it. I'm thinking I might read the book first though. Either way, it's definitely a movie I'm really looking forward to watching. Great review 🙂