Room is a powerful drama unlike any other I've seen before or will likely ever see again. It is everything a movie should be and then some. The film is directed by Lenny Abrahamson who made Frank, a comedic drama about a rock band lead by a man who wears a gigantic fake head, last year. Based on these two films, Abrahamson seems to have a gift for taking incredibly weird stories and making them into some of the most humanistic films I have ever seen. He doesn't just give these characters basic traits but explores these people in ways that most filmmakers would be afraid to do. Credit must also go to Emma Donoghue, who wrote the novel which the film is based on and has written the screenplay and especially Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay, who give two of the best performances I have seen in decades here. In fact, I will officially be done with the Oscars if these two don't at least get nominations.
I choose not to reveal the plot because I went into this film knowing absolutely nothing about it except that Larson starred and I find her to be the best young actress working today among a long list of other great young actresses (Jennifer Lawrence, Brit Marling, Anna Kendrick, Hailee Steinfeld, Shailene Woodley, Saorise Ronan, ETC.) Not even knowing the story of this film made watching it all the more impactful for me. If you have read the novel, it may even still manage to surprise you. I have yet to read the novel but I just have a feeling I'm accurate in saying that.
If students of film have a professor who's even a quarter of the way decent, this will be studied in classes for decades to come. Abrahamson brings a beauty and wonder to a seemingly hopeless situation and makes every single shot count. There is not a wasted moment in this entire film. Also, even though it's often incredibly difficult to watch, at only a few minutes short of two hours, I was so invested in this story, the film felt like it was under an hour to me. Abrahamson and Donoghue invest so much into this mother and son dynamic, Larson and Tremblay's characters instantly feel like real people.
However, this is also due to Larson and Tremblay. Larson does career best work here, even topping her brilliant lead performance in Short Term 12, a film that should have guaranteed that she would already have Oscar Nominee attached to her name. Tremblay, an actor who's been in a few other things in the past years, does breakthrough work here. He will no doubt be around for a long, long time and based on the strength of this performance, I wouldn't be shocked if he becomes the next Robert De Niro or Al Pacino. Tremblay instantly makes everything about his character so recognizable and natural that it's impossible not to feel complete sympathy for him and the same can definitely be said for Larson's character and performance.
I've never seen a film that even comes close to the powerfulness of Room and I doubt I ever will. This is often very tough stuff to watch but it's also very uplifting and works in every way possible. I admittedly cried from the first second to the last. Go see this film right away and make sure to bring a big box of tissues..even the most cold hearted, cynical soul will end up needing them.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for language)
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