Room

Review By: John Delia

One of the most compelling and disturbing films, Room comes to the screen with a story so bizarre that it will cringe even the most hardened person. Well-acted, Brie Larson gives the performance of her screen acting life in a role that mesmerizes and captivates.  Her co-star is just a young boy, Jacob Tremblay, who does a terrific job of acting out a heart wrenching youngster who’s never been in the outside world.  This is one film I recommend you see in a movie theater where you can focus on the story and the characters.

For seven years Joy “Ma” (Brie Larson) has been held captive in a room with a toilet, bathtub, sink and bed.  Her 5-year-old son Jack (Jacob Tremblay) was born during Ma’s captivity and has grown up thinking that the shack encompasses his entire world.  Repeatedly raped by her captor Old Nick (Sean Bridgers), Ma lives day to day hoping that her boy will sometime see beyond the small shed he’s come to know as room.

The film spools out with Ma trying to make each day an adventure for Jack, especially this one day of his birthday. Director Lenny Abrahamson keeps his film moving at a good pace, introducing his characters and showing the claustrophobic life of Ma and Jack.  The only ties to the outside world is a small skylight through which Jack can see light of day and a TV to watch what he thinks projects only make-believe.  Abrahamson keeps his characters inventive with Ma teaching her boy important things like hiding in a small pantry when Old Nick comes to visit.

The acting by Brie Larson is definitely Oscar worthy as she works diligently to keep her son active each day and keeping him out of sight while she’s being raped.  Here character institutes tough love for her son and will do anything to protect him no matter what it takes. Larson has had some good roles during her acting life being a mainstay on TV series “Raising Dad” and “The United States of Tara” and then appearing in films in between such as Short Term 12 and 21 Jump Street.  But with Room she shows her best acting nailing her character and turning a new corner for a lasting career.

Young Jacob Tremblay becomes the focus of the film as the boy who has been born into a world just 10 feet by 10 feet.  Playing Jake who has grown up not able to go outside and experience the sunlight or go to school to learn with other kids his age, his mother and a strange older male are the only real people he has seen.  Tremblay makes the audience a believer with a performance that should rip at your heart for a child caught up in an unconscionable situation.

Room has been rated R by the MPAA for language.  The film also contains an act of suggested sex and a scene of peril. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Heartbreaking performances make Room a big winner. (A)