Review of Room (2015) by Patrick L — 29 Feb 2016

"Room is a near-perfect movie, it's one of the best movies of the year".

Movie Review: Room.

Date Viewed: November 17 2015.

Directed By Lenny Abrahamson.

Screenplay By Emma Donoghue, Based on her novel.

Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, Megan Park, Cas Anvar, Amanda Brugel,.

Joe Pingue, Tom McCamus and Wendy Crewson.

"Room" is an emotional powerhouse of a movie. Brie Larson and newcomer Jacob Tremblay both give fantastic performances in director Lenny Abrahamson's powerful tale about a mother and her boundless love with her son. It is mostly set in one small location, a room with no windows, just a skylight in the ceiling. Brie Larson has done good work before but this little gem is her best work yet. She's right now, the frontrunner to win Best Actress at the Oscars next February.

"Room" is based on a great novel by Emma Donoghue and she also wrote the screenplay which is an excellent one. "Room" is a near-perfect movie, it's one of the best movies of the year. As I said before, "Room" mostly takes place in a small room with a closet, a bathroom, a bed, a toilet and a kitchen with limited food and supplies. Joy Newsome (Larson) has been captive in this room for seven years now and she has a five-year-old son named Jack (Tremblay). They are prisoners of a man named Old Nick (Sean Bridgers).

Also known as Ma, Joy has protected his son from the realities of their situation but when Jack turns five, she enlists a plan for them to escape. Jack has never known much about the outside world, his whole life has been surrounded in this dark room. After the escape plan becomes successful, Old Nick is now behind bars and Joy gets reunited with her parents. Robert and Nancy Newsome (William H. Macy and Joan Allen) have since separated and Joy has a long road ahead of her if she wants to get back to real life. Joy is also doing the best she can to bring her son to a normal life after horrific circumstances.

Tremblay is absolutely incredible in this movie. Since he has long hair, you might think Jack is a girl but he's not because he was held captive in a small room for five years, that's the reason why he didn't get a haircut. We are immediately captivated by him as he makes the difficult journey from a small room to the outside world. Larson has never been better, she truly deserves the Oscar for Best Actress. She's that good. If the Academy fails to nominate her, they would have to retire that category. Joan Allen, William H. Macy (in a very brief role) and Tom McCamus provide comfort and support as Joy's family members.

Proving that she's still one of our very best actresses working today, Joan Allen also gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Joy's mother. This movie is sad and devastating but it is truly worth your time. Please seek out "Room" if it's playing in your theater, it's an unforgettable experience.