Great performances in a powerful film

Rating: 9/10 (29 January 2016)

Joy was kidnapped 7 years ago: since then she has lived in a single room with her 5-year old son (by her kidnapper) Jack. On finally escaping, both mother and son need to connect to a world which has moved on for Joy, and which Jack has never known.
This is a psychological drama on three acts: there is an expository section which shows us the limits of Joy's and Jack's world (and, as it is the only world Jack has ever known, it is perfectly normal to him), then there is the drama and excitement of the escape and, finally, there is a lengthy section in which we see what happens afterwards. This final section was the part I loved because it simply plays with your emotions as you follow the progress of Joy and Jack, and Joy's family, as they meet assorted issues which must be dealt with.
Brie Larson as Joy ("Ma") is wonderful, and young Jacob Tremblay as Jack is simply astonishing. Jack is a complex character and far from easy to play, but you never for a second think you are watching a child acting: Tremblay IS Jack.
This is an excellent film.