Review: Room

Jack loves Room. Room is all he's ever known -- he was born there, he lives there with his Ma, and he's been there for his whole five years -- in fact, Jack is confident that there is nothing outside of Room. Room is life. But one day, Ma starts telling Jack that there is more to the world than just Room, and that they must escape.

Director Lenny Abrahamson's ROOM, based on Emma Donaghue's novel of the same name, tells the gripping story of a brave little boy (Jacob Tremblay) who follows his Ma (Brie Larson)'s coaching to escape the shed that they are being held captive in, and rescue them from a life with no hope. Though Jack doesn't understand the consequences of what their captor, Old Nick (Sean Bridgers), has done, he must give up all that is known to him and deal with a world he knows nothing about.

ROOM is a compelling work of art, to say the least. It carries plenty of emotion, though never forces it. It borders on heartbreaking with its realist attitude, portraying a vivid image of those affected by the situation -- right down to the depression that Ma deals with on the "outside" and the issues that her parents went through while she was gone. The majority of the film is seen from Jack's perspective: in voice-over narratives, we hear Jack cope with the new things that he experiences, and the things he learns about the real world.

Larson is phenomenal, continuing in her streak of powerhouse performances; and Tremblay charms your heart, drawing you into his perspective. With a pretty intense scene from William H. Macy playing Ma's father, the supporting roles bring this film to life. There are, no doubt, some serious Oscar nominations attached to this film. ROOM is now playing at the Midtown Cinema -- make sure not to miss it!