''Room'' (2015 film)- Review

Directed by: Lenny Abrahamson
Released: 2015
Country: Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom

Genre: Drama

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

''Room'' tells the story of Joy (played by Brie Larson) and her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay). Joy was kidnapped by a man known as 'Old Nick' (Sean Bridgers) seven years before the events of the film and since then, she has been kept locked inside a tiny garden shade. Old Nick impregnated her and Joy has raised her son in the garden shade. Jack is now five years old and knows the garden shades lives in as 'Room'. To Jack, Room is everything; the outside world is only something that he sees on the television. Even in these conditions, Joy tries to keep Jack as happy as possible. Now that Jack is five years old, Joy feels that he is old enough to know that there is such a thing as the outside world and hatches a dangerous and difficult plan to escape.

The first half of the film has great touches of thriller in it. I was often so concerned about Joy and Jack that I kept breathing hard as I wanted them to escape safely. 

The second half of the film, however, is very different in its tone and approach, although the basic theme is the same: a mother's love and concern for her son. In the second half, having escaped, Joy and Jack must adjust to the outside world after having been in confinement for seven years (five years for Jack). While Joy had known an outside world before being kidnapped, Jack grew up being entirely confined in 'Room'. As such, the outside world is very intimidating for both of them.

Paradoxically, though, Jack might take a long time to get used to the outside world, but being a child, after that certain time has passed, he will naturally be able to be adjust to the outside world. However, in spite of the fact that she was initially very happy to be back in the real world, it is Joy who eventually falls into the depths of depression. Seven years have been snatched away from her, her parents have divorced, her own father refuses to accept Jack as his grandson, and at one stage, she feels guilty for having raised Jack in confinement. She is worried not for herself but for her son. She is worried that her son might not be able to lead a normal life- not understanding that he is still a child and while it may take him some time to adjust to his new surroundings, he will eventually make it. Her maternal worries, though, are very realistic, and we see love for Jack reflected in everything she does. Brie Larson makes Joy a very realistic character. Jacob Tremblay is simply magnificent as Jack as well, while Joan Allen is great as Joy's mother.

''Room'' is an emotionally overwhelming film. What it reflects is maternal love. In her attempt to escape from Room, Joy makes sure that Jack has the opportunity to escape first and call for help. She does not know if her plan will succeed. She does not know if Jack will be able to escape and even if he escapes, if he will be able to summon help. She does not even know if she will ever be able to escape. But she wants Jack to have the best chances for escaping. Later, after they have escaped from Room, she worries for Jack. She wonders if he will be able to adjust to the real world. Among the several themes that ''Room'' explores, the power of love- maternal love and a child's love for his mother- is the most significant.