Room (2015)

"Room" stars Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, and William H. Macy. Released on October 16, 2015, the film is about a woman who allows her son to experience the outside world for the first time after being trapped in an enclosed room for years.

The film is directed by Lenny Abrahamson, who also directed films such as Adam & Paul and Frank. It is based on the novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue, who also wrote the screenplay for the film. I've been hearing a lot of good things about this film, especially Larson's performance. It has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, so it would make sense for me to see it for myself. Before I saw this film, one question came to my head: Just how can a film about a woman and a child in a small room together be so…inspiring? I'll tell you how, it's how they portray its themes, and this film succeeds in doing that.

Brie Larson plays a woman named Ma, who is held captive inside a small room with her son Jack, played by Jacob Tremblay. After successfully escaping from their captor, she tries to help Jack adjust to the world outside of the room for the very first time. Larson did a beautiful job portraying that character. She felt more like an actual mother rather than an actor. She definitely deserves that Oscar nomination for her breathtaking performance. I would also give props to Tremblay's performance as Jack. He was nothing shy of brilliant from beginning to end. Funny story, by the way, my mom and I were watching the Critics' Choice Awards yesterday and when we saw a clip of the film with Tremblay, my mom questioned whether the child actor is a boy or a girl because of his long hair. Yeah, my mom is weird, but I love her. What's really inspiring about this film is the concept and the direction. The film is more than about the relationship between the mother and her son, but about adjusting to the new world for the first time. I believe we have some experiences of learning how to adapt to the world around us as we grow older or trying to teach our kids to adapt to the world around them. This film expresses that theme in a fresh new way for me and it never felt dried out. Abrahamson showcases "Room" like it was a poem; a poem that expresses the feelings and the changes of these characters with their actions, not just through dialogue. The pacing in this film can be a bit slow for some people, but I was engaged to it until the credits started rolling. There's also some emotional depth that really works for a film like this. I got all teary-eyed a couple of times, but it's enough to make the film just as engaging as the characters themselves.
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Overall, with its brilliant performances, smart direction, strong themes and screenplay, and masterful storytelling, "Room" is a must-see for indie fans everywhere. It's the kind of film that not only left me inspired, but also made me think about how I adjusted to the world around me. I can assure you, guys, this film did not disappoint me and I'm sure it will not disappoint you too.

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