Terrific acting and direction create an emotionally powerful journey

Rating: 8/10 (17 January 2016)

It says a lot about the quiet yet assured power of Room that despite the fact half of Lenny Abrahamson's film takes place in the titular and small "room" or really prison that Brie Larsons Ma and her son Jack played by impressive newcomer Jacob Tremblay are kept in, scenes in the film constantly engage the viewer through terrific performances, a taught and sharp script by Emma Donaghue (who here adapts her own book) and there's an emotional resonance that will catch many viewers off guard.
Room is not by any means of the word an easy sell or even a typical cinematic piece of entertainment but Abrahamson who showed promise with the sporadically brilliant Michael Fassbender starrer Frank has a clear affiliation for the tricky material that Donaghue created.
Focusing on telling the dark and in more ways than one horrific story through the eyes of Tremblay's innocent and impressionable Jack, who never once has set foot outside the thin yet impenetrable walls of his world that he and his mum inhabit, Abrahamson finds himself directing many of Room's proceedings as though they were being seen through the eyes of a 5 year old child just as Jack is. Utilising a sparring yet effective voice over from the young boy that tells us all we need to know about how he sees the life he lives and constructing impressive visuals even in the films tight surrounds, this is Abrahamson's real calling card after two commendable early efforts and the cast also join Abrahamson in an reaching another level of success.
She may have just recently won a surprise Golden Globe for her committed and believe able turn as a loving mother but Brie Larson has been carving out a noteworthy collection of films over the last few years so the true breakout of Room is young Tremblay.
Tremblay delivers a deep and beyond his young years turn as Jack and it's thanks to this child actors success that Room becomes the film that's been resonating with audiences the world over. While Larson will be billed as the star here it is Tremblay that carries the film through its sometimes murky middle half and whenever he and Larson share the screen, Room is an often faultless exercise in dramatic filmmaking. It's a stunning turn and one that will likely seeing the young performer be an in demand presence in the years to come.
While it arguably loses some head of steam after a breathtaking opening half in its exploration of the opportunities that lay outside the prison walls, Room is a unique and emotionally strong tale of the bond mothers and sons share and in a strange yet touching manner, a tale of what it means to be alive in this great big beautiful world we call home.
4 remote control cars out of 5