Movie Review: Room directed by Lenny Abrahamson

Room, a fascinating story adapted for film from the novel by the same name, is a Canadian-Irish drama-thriller film directed by Lenny Abrahamson. Written by Emma Donoghue, it is a story of a woman and her five year old son held captive in a garden shed. Brie Larsen, in the role of Ma, was kidnapped at age 19. Old Nick, played by Sean Bridgers, her captor, came to her each night. A child was born after two years. Jack, who only knew Room as his home, had no contact with the reality of the outside world. His only visual contact was a sky light and a television. Ma, relying on her memory and whatever Old Nick would bring them, raised Jack as normally as possible, while keeping him away from Old Nick. Jack was put to bed in a closet before Old Nick entered the locked garden shed at night.

I have also read the novel, Room and was concerned that the movie would be too dreadfully painful. My perception from the novel was that Ma and Jack’s time in Room took up most of the story. I wasn’t looking forward to that possibility. The movie, however, showed Room from many cinematic and claustrophobic angles which made it unnecessary to extend the time. The personal dynamics between the three characters, Ma and Jack, and Old Nick, took up less time than I remembered. Is that accurate? I don’t know as I haven't access to the book as I write this review.

I was pleased to see the dynamics that shifted after Jack’s escape and the resultant rescue of Ma. In the novel, I felt that it was not dealt with sufficiently. In the movie, it was played out beautifully. Jack learning about the real world - touch, light, grandparents, and toys designed as toys. Ma, returning to a world that had become foreign to her, spiralled down into the room of her own mind, with the sudden release of responsibility and vigilance for her safety and Jack’s safety and growth.

For those that enjoy drama-thriller's, I definitely recommend this movie.

“Scared is what you’re feeling. Brave is what you’re doing.”

~ Room by Emma Donoghue

Partial Cast of Room, the movie
Brie Larson - Ma
Jacob Tremblay - Jack
Sean Bridgers - Old Nick
William H. Macy - Grandpa
Joan Allen - Grandma
Tom McCamus - Leo (Grandma’s partner)