By all conceivable metrics, Room is an acclaimed film. Not a great deal can be added to the conversation by attempting to explain or qualify that – at this point, it’s an irrefutable fact. However, the power of storytelling simply cannot be measured by awards, and there are few stories that carry the same emotional power as the 2015 film based on Emma Donohue’s book.
Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay star as a mother and son who escape captivity and struggle to adjust to a life of freedom. Joy (Larson) was kidnapped seven years prior by a man she knows as “Old Nick”, and has been captive in his shed ever since. Her five year old son, Jack (Tremblay), has never known a life outside “Room”, and the film chronicles their daring escape and subsequent attempts to assimilate into society.
What makes the movie’s story so powerful is largely down to a combination of stellar writing and remarkable acting. Both Tremblay and Larson are excellent in their respective roles, and help bring the powerful narrative to life in a way that feels unflinchingly raw. Room‘s story is a deep examination of some dark and heavy themes, brought to life through the lens of human suffering and resilience.
Room Beautifully Gives Voice To Some Of Humanity’s Most Difficult Truths
The theme of captivity is an obvious one, but it runs a little deeper than it may initially appear. Though Joy and Jack’s captivity is literal, it speaks to a much broader spectrum of abusive relationships, and those who feel trapped in them. It’s in this that I felt Room resonated with me on a personal level, tapping into my own experiences and the complex array of resulting emotions.
The film’s story captures the unpleasant essence of abuse and trauma: one can become all too accustomed to it, resulting in a seeming inescapable trap. Joy and Jack’s bids to escape come with an inherent risk, and there’s always an innate level of fear from both as to what awaits on the other side. Regardless, there’s a flicker of undying hope that keeps them both going – something that many survivors of abusive relationships will likely find all too familiar.
In Jack’s innocence, Room is able to capture the resilience of the human mind. He’s able to survive his terrible life in captivity, and then to make sense of and eventually adjust to normal human experiences. In fact, it’s Joy that finds freedom that much harder: with her energy no longer spent on survival, reflections on her experiences take a toll. On top of that, there are those who place some blame on her, compounding her own anger and guilt.
Room‘s story is a powerful one, no matter the viewer’s individual experience. For those recovering from trauma, however, it shines a spotlight on the recovery process, and that’s what makes it all the more resonant. It’s hard to assign any particular numerical value to a movie that speaks so personally to such a sensitive subject, but that’s precisely why Room belongs in our Hall of Fame.
Rating: 90%
Summary: Room makes an understated but emotional statement about abuse and survival, marking it as a deceptively powerful example of the healing properties of cinema.
Highlight: Jacob Tremblay’s performance as Jack is awe-inspiring throughout, particularly in the scenes immediately following his escape.