Room (2015)
Director: Lenny Abrahamson.
Synopsis
Like many other young boys, young Jack (Jacob Tremblay) is the happy, intelligent and much loved (if somewhat naive) son of Joy (Brie Larson). Unlike other boys though, he lives with Joy in a single room, held captive by the unbalanced and violent Old Nick (Sean Bridgers) shut away from the outside world.
He fantasises about what life is like, based on what he sees on TV and his mother's explanations. Despite his relative happiness with her, she resolves to broaden his horizons by helping him escape so the two can live in the outside world.
But adapting to life outside 'room' is fraught with as many difficulties as living in it.
Review by Jason Day
It's not every day you are surveyed by filmmakers to give an opinion of the film you have just watched.
But surveyed I was, questionnaire thrust at me as I left Cineworld following this drama by director Lenny Abrahamson, which roughly follows a 'Josef Fritzl' inspired story.
I gave an honest opinion: this is a deeply touching, carefully made, superbly acted and quite challenging film to sit through...up to a point.
Larsen (deservedly nominated for Best Actress at the forthcoming Oscars) and Tremblay give, mature and perceptive performances as a mother and son coping with the horror of incarceration and neglect and then coming to turns with a wider world which can be just as abusive and uncomprehending.
It's clear to see why Abrahamson and writer Emma Donoghue opted to focus on Joy and Jack's life outside of the ubiquitous 'room', but they missed a trick as the real drama and interest rests with how Joy remains positive and develops her son's intellect and imagination.
For the full review: http://ow.ly/Xb1mp
See listings for this and all other films at Cineworld Milton Keynes: http://www1.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/milton-keynes
Cast & credits
Producer: David Gross, Ed Guiney. Writer: Emma Donoghue. Camera: Danny Cohen. Music: Stephen Rennicks. Sets: Ethan Tobman.
Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, Sean Bridgers, Wendy Crewson.
