Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (What Richard Did; Frank; Adam & Paul) and starring Brie Larson (The Spectacular Now; 21 Jump Street; Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Jacob Tremblay (The Smurfs 2; Santa's Little Ferrets) and Sean Bridgers (Sweet Home Alabama).
Drama, 118 mins, 12+, in English
Based on the novel by Emma Donoghue, Room tells the story of Ma (Brie Larson) who had been snatched seven years earlier when aged just 19. Since then she has been held captive in a sound-proofed shed where she gave birth to Jake (Jacob Tremblay). The story starts when Jake celebrates his 5th birthday, with the first half of the film filmed inside the shed which they call "Room". The details of their incarceration starts to be revealed bit by bit, with Ma trying her best to educate Jake an explain what they can see on their small television and through the skylight. She tells him stories, plays games with him and they exercise together, in this universe she has created for him.
Far from being claustraphobic, Room is a revelation into what people can do in extreme situations and why they do certain things to stay alive. The second half is spent outside "Room" and both of their adjustment to the outside world. Jake has never seen trees nor leaves; his only exposure to nature has been in the limited television to which they have access, and a leaf that blows down from a nearby tree and settles briefly on the skylight. In the room he had had no contact with anyone apart from his mother - leading to social interaction problems later - and he has never climbed stairs or played on grass, let alone seen it. In fact, he has no concept of what could lie the other side of the wall of the shed...
Stunning performances by both the lead characters, with the director doing an incredible job in bringing this remarkable story to the big screen in such a dramatic way. A must-see for all cinema-goers.
