Room

ROOM

Director : Lenny Abrahamson

Year : 2016

Genre: Drama

Rating : *****

Having directed such critically acclaimed oddities as the psychologically chilling 'What Richard Did' and the quirky musical drama/comedy 'Frank', Lenny Abrahamson returns with yet another distinct and unique masterpiece in the form of 'Room', a devastating and overwhelmingly powerful drama based on Emma Donaghue's equally impassioned novel of the same name.

Starring Brie Larson and newcomer Jacob Tremblay, 'Room' tells the heartbreaking story of a young mother and son who must learn to adapt to life in the outside world after being held captive in a garden shed for seven years and while it's premise may imply an exploitative and incredibly harrowing scenario, nothing could be further from the truth. It is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving parable that centres on the most fundamental of human relationships - the undying, unwavering and unconditional love between a mother and her child ; a love that can destroy boundaries, emblazen the spirit and overcome impossible odds.

Set predominantly in the titular 10x10 enclosure, the story of 'Room' may lead some to draw parallels with this film and the horrifying Fritzl case that dominated global headlines towards the end of last decade. However, through Abrahamson's pitch perfect direction and Danny Cohen's intimate yet expansive cinematography, this makeshift prison feels less like an inescapable dungeon but rather a brick-thin wonderland separating our two characters from the outside world- a world unknown to the five year old Jack (played by the remarkable Jacob Tremblay) whose knowledge of the lands beyond the 4 walls of Room has been forged by the perpetually shining TV that glimmers with faces, creatures and countries far greater than anything his furtive imagination can concoct. 

For him, Room is his and his beloved Ma's planet - a homemade sanctuary keeping them safe from the foul beasts and monsters that TV prophecises so much about and It is this overwhelming air of trusting naivity that lends this potentially disturbing subject matter such an indelibly emotional and good-natured heart. The events of the film are predominantly seen through the eyes of our adorable young protagonist and while there is indeed plenty to cry about throughout 'Room's generous running time, it is an incredibly uplifting and deeply affecting study of our world as seen through the virgin eyes of an innocent child. 

While Brie Larson has been given plenty of very well deserved awards attention, it is a shame that the astonishing Tremblay hasn't got more critical recognition. At only seven years old, he delivers an extraordinarily naturalistic performance that rivals that of any of his contempories many times his own age and one that is sure to mean big things for the young actor in the future. As for the aforementioned Larson, there are honestly no words that can convey just how brilliant she truly was. All I can say is that up until I saw 'Room', Cate Blanchett was my favourite to win the Best Actress Oscar come February 28th. However having now seen 'Room', my allegiances have drastically shifted. 

A film like 'Room' is incredibly hard to review in detail. It's plot is very basic and the character count as as well as lack of locations aren't exactly conducive to a great deal of writing material. But that's the absolute genius of it. Much like Richard Linklater's opus 'Boyhood', 'Room' doesn't give way to over the top dramatics or hyserically overripe platitudes to get it's points across. It simply exists to show us the beauty of life and the unbeatable strength of love - what could be more perfect than that?