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.  

My Giant (Head): Review of Frank

Frank

Director: Lenny Abrahamson

By Alex Watson

No one will ever truly know or understand the methods of British comedian Chris Sievey or his reasons for creating his giant headed alter-ego 'Frank Sidebottom'. Although his comedy and overall act brought differing reactions from people, you cannot deny this was a memorable persona. Irish director Lenny Abrahamson this year brings us a film heavily inspired by the man himself. Nor there will not be any Monopoly Song or any tunes relating to football, but you can expect the music to get in strange in his movie, Frank. 

Budding songwriter Jon Burroughs (Domnhall Gleason) is waiting to get his big break into the music industry. By complete accident after witnessing the attempted suicide of their keyboard player, he finds himself drafted into obscure band 'The Soronprfbs' lead by odd papier-mache headed singer Frank (Michael Fassbender) Together the band goes to a secluded house in Ireland to record an album, but Jon soon find himself out of place amongst all the madness of the group! Soon Frank and his bizarre antics begin to put a strain upon events.

If you were expecting a straight up biopic of Frank Sidebottom then prepare to be surprised because Frank is a very esoteric yet uproarious movie by Lenny Abrahamson and its unique sense of off beat humour works very well for the most part. Co-script by Sievey's former band member Jon Ronson, this movie makes audiences question what kind of art music truly is, and more important does Frank or Jon deserve a place among the mainstream?

At first Jon relishes his seemingly lucky break, when we first meet him he is a bored and creatively empty young man living at home with mum and dad. But the moment he goes on tour and finds himself locked away in a remote Irish cabin until Frank finds the 'perfect sound' he realizes that he has bitten off more than he can chew! From here on out, Jon has a front row seat to the mania that ensues. The problems of fitting in with the band is a continuing problem and he finds himself forever questioning if he earns a place there because as icy theremin player Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal) tells him "You should go home!"


The Soronprfbs are a band whose music is hard to categorize, and although Jon through secret filming and posting of videos gets the band infamous online- their upcoming slot at the South by Southwest festival may not necessarily go to plan! However, we instantly fall in love with the giant headed Frank, particularly for his description of his facial expressions out loud. But its the mystery that intrigues Jon about him, and all around him are convinced he is a genius. Is Frank really a mad musical genius or is he really just a lunatic wearing in a silly disguise? This ambiguity makes for an interesting debate in Abrahamson's film and until the final reel we are still uncertain of our answer!

But although this film is fun and has a very quirky edge to it, Frank suffers from a uneven third act and this section makes the film dip in quality as Jon makes the transition into near insanity. Although partially stirring, Frank's fall to earth both musically and personally has a rather dull ring to it and as Jon becomes a reluctant detective to find him, it leaves a bit of a hallow ring. All errors aside, Abrahamson manages to inject enough humour into proceedings to make this a forgiveable mistake and skilfully he manages to leave things on a uplifting (albeit it fractured) note.

Michael Fassbender gives what is perhaps his most extraordinary performance to date. Sat mostly behind a gigantic staring head, he somehow manages to conjure up a stunning sense of emotion mixed with borderline insanity. But it's his skilful underplaying of the possible insanity that makes Frank all the more memorable and although he could off at any moment, we pray he comes through. Domnhall Gleason is one the who scores highest in the likeability stakes and his charming portrayal as underdog Jon is one that gives us something to cheer. Musically he may not have a clue, but compared to the other unstable members of the band, Jon knows exactly where to take them! Gleason is one the best upcoming talents currently and JJ Abrams should feel proud for casting him in his upcoming Star Wars movie!

It may not be a completely perfect movie, but Frank is still an interesting journey for film fans to undertake and it will at least make you question your taste in music afterwards. Frank Sidebottom may not be the key focus of this movie, but his legacy still lives on through Abrahamson! Though shame there was no mention of "Bobbins" or "Blimey"