Review of In a Bedroom (2012) by Dan D — 24 Sep 2011

A family barbeque is in the midst, with one couple (Marisa Tomei and Nick Stahl) who are very much in love. There are two unique factors within this couple's relationship: the wife is much older than the son (more than a decade) and has two kids. The parents (Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson), are unstandably, not big fans of this relationship, especially during the barbeque, when the woman's soon-to-be ex husband (Willaim Mapother) interupts, wanting to take the kids for the evening, a possible indication to the viewer that he wants her back in his life. As the story unfolds, we start to understand the consequences of the relationship and the growing, irratic behaviour of the man. Eventually, the younger man, gets caught in the crossfire, and tragically, is shot and killed. Then the film takes off.

"In the Bedroom" is heartbreakingly effective film. From the point when Stahl's character is murdered, we really never see Tomei's character much after that, but more of Spacek and Wilkinson's characters, the parents of the young man of course, going through the incredible grieving process. The pain, suffering, emotional damages, take a toll, understandably, on their own relationship, and leads to even more shocking circumstances. Spacek and Wilkinson performances are so stunning, that this marks major milestones in their careers. The camera observes every moment torture these two characters go through. The last thirty minutes of the film are astonishing! Excrutiatingly painful to watch and observe, but thorougly compelling, and perhaps, one of the greatest films released after the year 2000.