Winner of Toronto’s audience award, ROOM directed by Lenny Abrahamson starring Brie Larson and Jacob Trembley tells the heartbreaking story of a mother and son living captive in a shed they call ROOM. Told from the perspective of five-year-old Jack (Jacob Trembley) who knows nothing of the outer world and believes only the four dirty, meek walls are all that exist. His “Ma” played by the hypnotizing Brie Larson has been surviving in this ROOM for seven years. Their story of struggle and freedom back into society is like nothing ever seen before on the big screen. Based on the popular book by Emma Donoghue, the film adaption sheds light on how powerful maternal instinct can be and how a child can save a parent when you least expect it.
I had the pleasure of viewing an early screening of the movie in Georgetown and it is nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. I found myself crying at the rawest moments (one of a human who is at their breaking point but is stronger than one should be), and laughing at a five-year-old’s ability to make light of all that is wrong in the world. Larson’s performance is gaining Oscar buzz and rightfully so. The mindset of a kidnapped woman putting her child’s mental health before her own can only be played by someone with the heart and ability to do so, and she achieved the role with perfection.
After the movie I stayed for a Q&A with Brie Larson and got to hear about the preparation for the role. “Intense” and “strenuous” were words she used to describe it. She talked about how she “spoke to trauma specialists, nutritionists as well as sexual abuse counselors to understand how this way of living affects the mind and body.” She also stayed out of the sun, and put on 15 pounds of muscle to feel and exhibit the strength of someone literally trying to save their life. ROOM is nothing short of a masterpiece. When you watch it, you will be left breathless and wanting more.
ROOM debuts in Los Angeles and New York on October 16 and expands worldwide on November 6.
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