Four Walls: Review of Room

Room

Director: Lenny Abrahamson

By Alex Watson

Capturing hearts and the Viewer's Choice prize at the Toronto Film Festival, Lenny Abrahamson's adaptation of Emma Donoghue's Room is an emotional whirlwind. Intensely harrowing throughout, Abrahamson helped by some gritty and concealing cinematography by Danny Cohen give the 11 x 11 prison a hopeful feel. However, as we expand into the wider world, we see the at times beautiful naïvety of youth and asks some big questions of how we can survive in this big world? 

Ma (Brie Larson) is has been imprisoned living in a tiny room for seven years with her five-year old son Jack (Jacob Tremblay). Her captor known only as 'Old Nick' (Sean Bridgers) provides them with food and supplies while Ma keeps her boy happy and healthy with physical and mental exercises. For years she has shielded him from the bitter truth and pretend that 'Room' is the world. Soon fed up of the suffering and abuse, Ma devises an escape plan. As they re-enter the real world, both will find the experience harder than they ever could have imagined. 

The principle strength of Room lies on the excellent characterization of the two leads, Ma is a woman stripped of her innocence but loves her son unconditionally. She is a resourceful woman who seems 

to find fun things to do out of nothing. Together the pair makes a snake made from string and eggs shells. Jack is a sweet, smart and dynamic ball of energy who despite his set back is well versed. Each morning he greets such average objects as the sink and wardrobe as if they were living things. Soon it becomes clear that the world outside doesn't even register and this enclosed space is the only thing he knows. He is also the very air that she breathes and her only reason for carrying on in this world. Old Nick regularly forces himself upon her while Jack pretends to sleep in a closet. Through limited perspective, Abrahamson succeeds in making these encounters thoroughly tense and uncomfortable. 

After Old Nick soon becomes more threatening due to some unfortunate news, Ma realizes that escaping the four walls they have called the world is the only chance they have to survive. Problem is that Jack knows nothing of the world outside and at first he assumes his mother is playing a trick on him "I want another story!" he cries when she breaks the news to him. This section of one of the most profoundly affecting because how do you explain to your own son that this whole life has been a lie? Re-entering society proves far tougher than the escape itself and Ma takes it hardest of them both. She finds her mother (A revelatory Joan Allen) has left her father and taken up with gentle and kind soul Leo (Tom McCamus). Her Father (William H Macy) is unable to deal with her reappearing and is unable to look her son in the eye. 

The second half of Room is undoubtedly Jack's story as he learns to live in a far bigger world than he anticipated. At first his new surroundings terrify him and he longs for the comfort and safety of Room. As time progresses he learns to become a normal and curious boy and Abrahamson cleverly gives events a bright and hopeful feel. Leo and Grandma's presence is also key in his adaptation as they gently encourage him to embrace this scary new place. Ma grows increasingly distant and closed off as the media attention builds and she spurns all offers of comfort. The trauma of her seven-year captivity is hard-hitting and transforms her from being the kind and determined mother to a more needy and conflicted soul. 

Brie Larson is odds on for nominations at awards season with a performance that transforms the entire film. Through an astonishingly honest performance, we see Ma's refusal to lie down and accept her fate. Larson is able to wring every last drop of emotion from her audience and is a powerful and stirring figure. Jacob Tremblay is the perfect match for Larson and through a naturally gifted performance, he brings this bright and courageous being to life so well it never once feels as if he is acting. Together these two are the power cell that makes the movie glow so bright. 

Room is one movie that will transform its audience in 2015 and even the toughest and coldest of hearts will melt. A mother's love knows no bounds, but the will to carry on survive is equally as powerful.