Review: Room (2016)

If you read my review for In the heart of the sea you will know that I was desperate to see Room so I was glad when I found some free time with my Dad and realised it was still on at the cinema. Why this took me so long to watch when it was one of my most anticipated Oscars movies I'll never know! I'm glad I finally got round to it, though.

Ma (Brie Larson) as she is known for the first half of the film had been trapped in a 10 x 10 room for 7 years and for the previous 5 has been making it a home for her young son, Jack (Jacob Tremblay).  He lovingly calls his home 'room' and having not known any other life, Ma makes his life exciting with games and stories.  It becomes quickly clear that she has been unwillingly kept prisoner by the man they call 'Old Nick' (Sean Bridgers).  Following Jacks 5th Birthday, and a night and day without power or heat, Joy realises she needs to make a change and plans their escape....

I found this quite difficult to watch, particularly having read so many similar stories in the news, to see it from the other side was nothing short of heartbreaking.  Larson's acting skills as a frustrated mother trying to hide every emotion from her son and still give him the life he deserves it are fantastic.  You can see every emotion on her face and you can actually feel her frustration as she tries to explain to Jack things that he doesn't understand having never been out in the real world.

 

It's no secret that Room was going to be a tough one to watch, and pull on your heart strings. What I wasn't expecting was to ugly cry throughout the entire movie! Thank the heavens for dark rooms...no, wait, now is not the time to make jokes about rooms.

Thankfully I had about a ten minute break between sobs when Jack made his escape attempt. My eyes were still watering, but that's because I now hold the world record for holding my breath! Those were such tense moments, I was genuinely clenching my entire body.

Jacob Tremblay absolutely blew me away, his confusion at being told things of the outside world and his childlike innocence is played out perfectly.  How someone so young can act so well really does amaze me!  The premise of this movies is truly terrifying, having seen so many similar stories in the news, this actually happens to real people.  What stops the movie becoming really dark is the narration from Jack, his perspective on the whole situation is so innocent and sweet.  He doesn't see Room as a prison, he sees it as an adventure and he makes friends with items in room, sink, toilet, rug, wardrobe, its really heartwarming to hear his sweet voice in such a dismal setting. Little Jacob is such a sweetheart! I love that kid!

I desperately want to read the book now and I half wish I could have read it beforehand but I never know which is the best order to do it in to not ruin one or the other. 

Depending on which way the Academy decide to take the Best Picture this year,  I think this has a real shot at it. Make your mind up woman, I thought you were #TeamRevenant! No I'm #TeamLeo keep up!!!