Considering all the factors in play, this movie was EXTREMELY average. Everyone seems to be praising this movie on it's merit which begs me to ask, what did it do well? The acting was alright at best, with Brie Larson being the best. But again, being the best in an ok pile isn't saying much. The child actor was bearable at times, but let me say that a good child performance does not mean a good adult one. The score was anything but spectacular, with it being pretty cringey at times.
The movie relied solely on the audience to create an emotional impact with the character or the movie doing anything to prove why you should actually care about whats happening. The cinematography was not that good, with a variety of shots feeling bland at best. As well as this, I noticed many continuity and audio mistakes, not necessarily making this movie a technical masterpiece.
The premise should be really effective, but it just isn't really. I think its because the characters are nowhere near as developed as they should be, so every event that should make you cry (and believe me, there are many) just feels like emotional manipulation. Some of the dialogue is a little too on the nose as well. I think if the movie were given some time to breathe and if the direction was done with a slighter hand (the director needs a new cinematographer badly) with a more subtle script the story could have lead to a great movie, but as it stands it's mostly a missed opportunity.
Overall, this movie was extremely underwhelming.
Very emotional movie. I found incredibly interesting how at first Joy was very quick to go back to her old life while Jack had trouble adjusting and the roles reversed and Jack was being strong for Joy...
A masterpiece..
A movie with two halves.
The first part is set in the room. Starts with a bond which is pretty average. The boy is slightly annoying at times. This is the problem on relying on a child actor. He does a good job overall but sometimes I laughed when I shouldn't have. Like when he's unrolled from the carpet and shouts 'I hate you.' That was great comedic timing. Or when he says 'room isn't smelly, only when you fart.' Fine deadpan. It's and example of bad dialogue breaking the style. Wasn't exactly hard to stick to the rigid style either, it had about 3 rules. The child is also very flat as a character. He either moans or talks nonsense. He doesn't have the subtle moods of a child like sulking, tiredness or giggling etc.. but he either shouts like an angry loon, acts very scared or is ridiculously inquisitive. It's very in your face and unnatural all of the time. His imagination is never used for fun or play but for the purpose to contrast the situation time and time again. It's full of emotional setups and no natural feel.
The movie gets better as the man enters the story. The tension is good and it's more interesting to watch. It even feels more real. The first half end with an escape. It's really well made. Very emotional. A peak. I was optimistic. So far it's just about average.
Second half.
Drawn out drama with illogical emotional decisions for the sake of it. Every short scene more or less ends with something emotional happening to try and be deep. There is more to drama than an argument or something bad happening.
Character interaction is always for effect and never real. There is no realism in this movie. The flat character of the boy becomes even more flat as be enters the hollywood cliché of alien discovering the environment. Completely boring, predictable and with bad dialogue. They end by visiting the now empty room. The boy says something like 'this isn't room because it's open. ' How cheesy and dumb is that?
The ultimate chick flick.
1.5 / 2 directing & technical aspect
1 / 1 story
1 / 1 act I
1 / 1 act II
1 / 1 act III
1 / 1 acting
.5 / 1 writing
.5 / 1 originality
.5 / 1 lasting ability to make you think
0 / 1 misc
8 / 10
Brie Larson is fantastic so is Jacob Tremblay feels like such real performances you can really feel their pain such a touching story.
A very emotional and powerful film Room is a great character study revolving around a young boy who has spent his whole life trapped in one Room. Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay have a very interesting relationship as mother and son and both give outstanding performances are complex but loveable characters. This one could make you teary eyed.
As good as the book.
An extraordinarily story, and it will give you chills.
The thing that i loved that the story-line was from the child's eyes.
One of 2015 best movies.
Wow, just wow! Brie Larson is fantastic!
You wouldn't believe how hard my heart was pounding when Jack was escaping
I think that the real Oscar winner should be Jacob Tremblay. ;>
This was hands down my favorite movie of 2015. It's been a very long time since I cried while watching a movie, but this one broke me. Brie Larson deserves every award she gets and Jacob Tremblay is one of the best child actors I've seen in years. This is a difficult movie to watch, but it's one you don't want to miss.
What an amazing film, beautifully directed, written, and performed. It is one of those films that will stay with you for days, weeks, years later. So many touching moments throughout the film, of genuine raw emotion.
The film is so well directed, creating that sense of space in the first half of the film, that a whole world can exist in this room, the decision to have the story told from young Jack's perspective was just inspired. Even a closet seems to be a whole world to this young child. Brie Larson gives an amazing performance. Just cannot speak more highly of this movie......go see it!
The plot of this remarkable film suggests it has been ripped from recent headlines, detailing a young woman's captivity in a shed. This all suggests a deeply unpleasant experience, but the filmmakers make a crucial choice to tell the story from the point of view of the woman's 5 year old son who knows no other world other than the room they are held in. Essentially a two-hander for much of the film between mother and son, it is deeply moving and uplifting despite the nature of the plot, as film portrays their daily existence, the young boy's attempts to make sense of the world around him and his mother's efforts to protect him. Both actors give remarkable performances, with Larson fully deserving the critical praise being thrown her way, yet the film is equally dependent on a wonderfully natural performance from the young Jacob Tremblay. Never exploitative, the film can be quite unsettling and tense at times, but as the story gives way to the aftermath, the focus on the bond between parent and child throughout make for a film that is powerfully affecting.
“There are so many things out here. And sometimes it’s scary. But that’s ok. Because it’s still just you and me.”
I have never been swept up by a movie before. While learning how they lived and Jack's perception of the world, I was enthralled. I was scared during get both the build up to, and the actual escape. The tears started flowing when Jack first saw the world and there was very little time after that where I wasn't crying.
I fell in love with both the characters and the portrayal of their story. Score: 9.5/10. Loses half a star for not showing more of the amazing female police officer who helped him when found.
Such a wonderful, wonderful movie. Haven't seen one like this in a long time. Bravo to both Bire Larson & Jacob Tremblay. What a great performance. #ShiftvW8
Amazing and heartbreaking. Depressing and uplifting. An absolute must-watch.
Falters a little in its second half but ultimately a powerful story of confinement and freedom. Jacob Tremblay gives a sensational performance and Brie Larson is brilliant as always.
A tense, emotional, engaging film.
"Bye, Room."
I'm not crying
I'm not crying
I'm not crying
Okay, i'm crying a little bit
Okay, I'm crying a lot.
I expected this to be one of those films where the captives are held for the majority of the film, and right at the end, the door opens to a bright light, with cops outside, and fade to black. That's what most of these kinds of films are. But not Room. Room dealt with the consequences and spent most of its time showing us how they dealt with the world outside. They weren't perfect, it wasn't happily ever after. It was real. Jack was an incredible boy, and following his journey of learning about the world was amazing. Ma was incredibly brave, and though she struggled, the reason Jack is okay today, is because of her. They kept each other alive.
These characters are so incredible and relatable, that here I am still thinking they're real.
Fantastic film, watch it.
I DONT BELIEVE IN YOUR STINKY WORLD
Let me just start off by saying that Brie Larson was amazing and should/will win best actress. Jacob Tremblay did a fantastic job, but I found his character very annoying. I understand that this is part of his character given his trauma, but I had a hard time empathizing with him when he pissed me off half the movie. I get that this probably isn't a valid criticism but I don't know how else to put it. The story is fantastic and incredibly moving, and once again Brie Larson is amazing. I feel the first act is more moving, but the second act is more important as it's themes apply to everyone.
Brie Larson is pretty great in this movie , but the kid , man , i don't have enough words to describe
Tragic story, but really interesting to see the aftermath of something like this. Both actors did an amazing job, but the kid really brought it home.
"Room" is an outstanding film that goes beyond the surface. It masterfully captures the struggle of being kidnapped and living in captivity, but what sets it apart is its exploration of the aftermath, which is often overlooked. This movie hits you right in the gut with its emotional depth. Young Jacob Tremblay's portrayal of his character is incredible and adds to the film's powerful impact. A truly exceptional and thought-provoking work. :clapper::clap::trophy:
Very very good storyline but I HATED how she treated her son, like I understand you want to go back to normal and act like a teenager but does he really not mean anything to you?
Good, not great.
Also kept thinking the little boy was a girl.
6/10
Truly harrowing story supported by convincing performances from the duo. Brie Larson was amazing and Jacob Tremblay was exceptionally great. The first half was suspenseful, it got me on the edge of my seat. Emotional and heartbreaking. After that it's sad but it kinda pulled away my interest.
I hate that this movie exists and that people have lived things like this. But, the movie itself is glorious! Ms. Larsen and young Tremblay are amazing in redirecting the focus from a horrible situation to their strong bond.
yeah, it wasn't the best movie ever, don't have almost anything to catch us, I mean, the history isn't great, but it was a good movie, I cried a little bit, but that's it.
Extraordinarily powerful and provocative, Room is a harrowing tale of survival. The story follows a mother and son who live in captivity, held in a shed, but after the son's fifth birthday the mother attempts to explain to him that there's a world outside of the shed and that they need to escape. Brie Larson gives an outstanding performance, and has great chemistry with co-star Jacob Tremblay, who’s quite impressive for a child actor; crushing the dialog, delivering it in such an innocent and earnest way as to be quite heartbreaking. Additionally, the writing is incredibly well-done; especially in how the mother creates a fantasy world for her son. And, the director does a remarkable job at making the room a world in itself by never showing too much at once and keeping the shots focused on specific objects that define different sections of the shed. Room can be a hard film to watch due to its disturbing psychological themes, but it also has an inspirational quality in what is overcome and the power of the bond between the mother and son.
Unfortunately a lot of child acting which is always a bit obnoxious. Wasn't great, but it was good.
Fantastic movie, very thought provoking and emotional for me to watch. The actors did a great job as well.
I don't know any reason of having a rate more than 1 for this movie.. Acting is brilliant but where's the story!
A very boring movie without any clarity for the details on their life..
Once they scaped from the room (very easy) then movie start being a real boring movie
Waste of time
While I enjoyed the movie, I would have liked to see more character building, especially around the psychological aftermath beyond just having a breakdown. It seems to me it would have to be so much more.
Wasn't as graphic as I thought it was going to be, which is good. The R-rating is just for language. No nudity, graphic violence, on-screen rape, or anything else. Everything is implied for the most part since this film is from the perspective of a child who was shielded as well as possible from these things.
I appreciate how respectfully this film was done. It's not uncommon for movies to take heavy themes like the ones in this story and make them seem fantastical or completely gloss over them. The main issue I have with this movie isn't even with the movie; it's with how it's advertised. The trailer I watched and the descriptions I read all led me to think that the first half of this movie was going to be the entire thing. Once that half was done, I was left feeling like the movie should have ended and wondering what more would be apart of the story. It would have been better if I had gone into this movie completely blind...
Signed:
~SophieFilo16~
What an exceptional movie! Deeply moving and sometimes too close to reality. Outstanding cast. I'm moved and glad that I only read that it was Oscar awarded, otherwise I wouldn't have watched it...
Brie and Jacob just killed it in this movie, so raw and emotional. I always heard about this film and just sat down and enjoyed it.
A well made film with a deep message played with a strong cast, it freed my emotions all the way through.
This movie is a pure masterpiece
Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, "Room" is essentially a story of hope. When you have hope, everything is possible.
"Room" tells the story of Jack's adaptation to the world after five years living in a small room with his mom almost without sunlight.
This movie is a masterpiece, since the performances (Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay were brilliant) to the story that is incredibly beautiful.
"Room" is a love letter to the love of any mom with her son.
Almost as good as the book, and that's not a slight!
simply must- see .. one of the best i watched recently :)
I think I have something in my eye ;(
i lost in the middle cuz the movie down the rithm, but the perspective of the boy in the room is amazing, i think all the people live in a room of the mind.
Such an interesting and consuming perspective. #ShiftvW8
Brilliant movie. This and The big short should have fought better for the Oscar, Spotlight was not deserved it.
Fantastic story, breathtaking brie larson on her role excellent script
Great movie! You wil surely not regret watching it, too bad it was more about the kid rather than his mother. Could have been better
i love the fact that it's from a child eye's, just a great movie to end the 2015 year, amazing movie
What a performance of 9-year old Jacob Tremblay ! Brilliant movie. Make sure you have a handkerchief.
Really heart warming and moving story. Got the emotions going and really enjoyed this.
Brie and Jacob. They are my heroes. Amazing movie
This was a Superb movie. Overall an awesome story as a drama. Suspense that keeps you tuned in the whole movie. Overall I really enjoyed this movie. This movie is a much watch.
everything but the editing was absolutely amazing
Great film and very well acted.
Amazing movie! The story it's just too perfect, and gives you a mix of emotions in less than 2 hours, I was so not ready for that. Brie Larson is extraordinary and deserves all the awards
It's an experience that gives you the chills and a little bit of tears too.. Brace Yourself
Great movie, but I'm so left wanting at the end. So many questions unanswered.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2016-01-28T18:46:33Z
9.5/10. There are times when I feel jaded as a viewer. When it seems like despite the breadth of films out there, that I know most of the tricks, to where while I can appreciate a film's achievements in sort of a detached way, when I can even be engaged and invested in something, it doesn't necessarily reach me in the way that movies did when I first started watching them. The scope of appreciation has widened, but the emotional resonance feels muted, because I can't help but see the strings.
And then a film like Room comes along.
And Jack sees the expanse of sky for the first time. And Joy hugs her parents after not seeing them for seven years. And Robert can't even look at his grandson. And Nancy tells her daughter that she's not the only one whose life was destroyed. And Joy tells her mother that if she hadn't been taught to be nice, she might never have gone with Nick. And there's a supreme, heartbreaking look of guilt on her face when a reporter asks if she should have given her son up while in captivity. And Jack walks in on his mother's suicide attempt. And Nancy hears her grandson say "I love you." And Jack sees a real live dog, and makes a real live friend, and cuts his hair to give his mother his strength.
And I wince and I laugh and I cry and I gasp at this beautiful, devastating, intimate, life-affirming film. This is why we make movies. I love popcorn films, with the fights and flashes and epic feel, and I love the big dramas, with their scope and their sense of grandness and the talent on display, and I love those classic film comedies that mix the absurd and the irreverent and the memorable into a single hilarious package. But the films like Room simultaneously so small and so personal, yet so powerful and affecting, have a special place. These are, as Robert Ebert once put it, the empathy machine that is film working at peak efficiency, taking us into the lives of people who have suffered and been unfathomably wronged, and carries us with them as they carve out a way forward.
I didn't know I wanted a film that feels like a cross between Oldboy, Life Is Beautiful, and Boyhood, and yet the elements Room shares with each--the sense of isolation, the loving way in which a parent tries to distract their child from a continuing tragedy, the slice-of-life, impressionistic depiction of a young boy's innocence--come together to form something absolutely tremendous.
That last facet of the film, the fact that it filters the entire experience through young Jack's eyes, is a stroke of brilliance. There's a matter of factness, a certain directness or even blitheness to the way children experience the world. Using Jack as the lens through which Room tells its story renders those events not only realer, but plainer, imbuing them with the unvarnished perception of childhood. The way the film is able to get into Jack's head, to allow the audience to view these horrors and steps to recovery through his eyes, is its greatest strength and most impressive achievement.
By the same token, Brie Larson as Joy deserves all the accolades she's received for her performance here. While still a prisoner, she carries herself with such an air of both utter resignation and quiet resolve, someone who's been beaten into submission but carries on with whatever she has left. And once she returns home, the guilt that consumes her, the anger that she has for the world that kept turning without her, are palpable in every moment without fading into overwroughtness.
The film can essentially be divided into those two halves. The first is the story of Jack and Joy in Room, of the way that Joy makes unbearable circumstances livable for her son, the way that she copes and shields Jack from the horror around him, and how Jack strains and struggles to understand the idea of the world beyond those four walls, to where he can, eventually, help the two of them escape. The second half is far less intense, but still endlessly intriguing and affecting. It's a quiet domestic story about how people recover from that sort of trauma, both Joy who feels the opposite of survivor's guilt and second guesses herself, and Jack who is exposed to a big scary world, the depth and breadth of which is entirely alien to him.
But throughout both halves, there is such a pure emotional truth in each moment, from the simple joys that Jack enjoys within the home he doesn't realize is a prison, to his anger and resistance at having that fantasy shattered, to Joy's dispirited but resolute attempts to keep him happy and healthy, to the realistic, painful difficulties parents and children face when rebuilding a family seven years after a tragedy, to the wonder and fear a small boy has for what lies beyond the garden gate, and the unmitigated joy at every step taken toward some cobbled-together normalcy. Room is a beautiful, heart-wrenching, intensely personal film, that takes an unflinching yet uplifting look at how people cope and come back from the worst that our world has to offer.