I rarely mention this in a review, but I wish to warn people that this film is very dramatic and tense. The film starts with Ma (Brie Larson) living in a locked-up shed with her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay). It is revealed early in the movie that Ma and Jack are being held against their will and locked up in the “Room” for over seven years. Ma will do anything to protect and keep Jack safe. The man responsible for keeping Ma and Jack works a daily job, comes home, provides food and drinks, and sadly abuses Ma whenever he feels like it before leaving again. This process is repeated daily.
Being locked up in a ten-by-ten-foot Room means that young Jack has never seen outside the four walls. He is clueless about the natural world and how it works: Jack’s world was ultimately created by Ma. One day Ma is celebrating Jack’s 5th birthday, and she decides to tell Jack the truth about the earth, the outside world, and how they became locked up in the Room. Now that Jack is a little older, it’s time to take action.
The film feels like it’s split up into two parts. I was very engaged during the 1st half of the movie with its fast pacing and suspense. The other half of the film had a plodding, calm pace. This is not bad; I felt it was different and very clever. Actress Brie Larson gives an outstanding performance, and her award for best performing actress is 100% earned.
Movies like Room also remind me why I love films. Overall, the film provides one serious emotional roller coaster while we watch our main leads go through many ups and downs. I even found myself thinking about what it would be like to be in Jack’s shoes without even realizing it; what would you think of the world if you have never seen it and lived in a Room?
8.6/10
19th November 2016
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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