I knew nothing about the plot of this film when I went to watch it. I only knew that its lead actress Brie Larson had been nominated for Best Actress in practically every award-giving body. In fact, she had already won the major ones, including the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress, the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Julianne Moore won all these last year and went home with the Oscar. In the same way, we can say that the Academy Award for Best Actress is already Brie Larson's to lose.
When the film began, I thought I would not be able to get through it. The set is very claustrophobic -- just a small room which was so cramped and untidy that you can practically smell its stench. There were only two characters in there. There was an annoying 5-year old boy Jack, who looked like a girl with his very long hair. He lives with his young mother Joy, who seemed to be such an irresponsible mom, keeping Jack trapped inside that room with only a skylight for him to see the sky outside.
However, when stick with it, you will be rewarded with an unexpected turn of events that will teach you the virtue of not judging a film from its first five minutes. The real situation of mother and son that reveals itself will be beyond your wildest expectations.
The challenge of Brie Larson is the portrayal of young woman with a very unusually traumatic situation. Larson gave a vividly internal performance that effectively conveyed all the pent-up pain, anger and frustration of this girl who had her youth stolen from her. While all the nominees in the Oscar race for Best Actress this year quietly shone without hysterics in their respective parts, I think it is the rawness and naturalness of Larson's performance in such a unique role that gave her the edge.
I really felt that the child actor who played Jack, Jacob Tremblay, should have been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar. He was at first being pushed in the Supporting category when it was obvious that he was the co-lead. At first, his acting can be construed as painfully annoying, yes. However, when you realize the real situation they were in, you'd really be very impressed with how this very young actor could have portrayed such a difficult role. Because of his tender age, raw and natural is the only way he could go, and he nailed it.
Director Lenny Abrahamson deserves his Oscar nomination for Best Director for simply being able to unravel the story with such gripping subtlety, based on the screenplay (also Oscar-nominated) by Emma Donoghue as adapted from her own 2010 book with the same one-word title. Despite its simple and unassuming title, "Room" actually tackles very complex emotions. It is a riveting drama about a family's liberation from a real-life nightmare and the struggle to move on from its ghosts. 8/10
This seems quite an unique movie.It also got some great review throughout the world and have a nice rating by IMDB as well.Would surely gonna wact this.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll have a hard time watching this movie because I'm very claustrophobic. Hmm, I just might skip this one!
ReplyDeleteIt always makes me curious each time a book is turned into a movie although we all know that 99% of the time, the book is always better than the film. I have not read the book but I'll definitely watch this one. Brie Larson makes it more interesting for me.
ReplyDeleteThis is the movie I think needs to be watched as the plot is quite unusual. There are real incidents of such cases also.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually like movies with only 1 or 2 characters in only 1 or 2 different settings. Your review definitely makes me want to watch this movie though. The plot really does sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteI've heard so much about the movie and I watched the interview of Brie. She was praising Jason on how an amazing actor he is and how much he helped her in the shooting spot!
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie trailer and room and instantly felt hooked! This is my kind of movie, one filled with mystery.
ReplyDeleteWHAT! Why 8/10 only? I gave full marks! I love this film and their performance was flawless!
ReplyDeleteQuite an unique story line and first i thought Claustrophobic is the movie name. Must be a good watch.
ReplyDeleteNow, I am intrigued at what the story is all about. I think I can endure that 5-min claustrophobia. Gotta check if this is being shown in my city.
ReplyDeleteI find this very interesting and I'd love to see the movie. I'm curious as to what happens and how they are able to escape!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting movie, so curious why they get 4 major awards.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, shall keep this movie in view when it is released in my country. But i am claustrophobic myself, wonder if i can stand watching this movie lol
ReplyDeleteI admit I heard about this movie, but I read that it is - like you also pointed out - claustrophobic. So... I decided to skip it (even if I understand it has potential.
ReplyDeleteBeing stuck in a room can really make you crazy. This can really lead to a lot of situations, which I think can make the movie a lot interesting.
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't heard of this movie until now. This isn't my kind of movie however but I'll probably watch it once it's out on Netflix.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago, I heard so much about how great the book is, but I never really was intrigued because the summary at the back didn't really give enough away for me to know what it's about. The movie sounds promising that I think I would rather watch it then read it.
ReplyDeleteIt a very interesting and unique movie. I m sad that its not screening in my country will check it out online. Thanks
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