A good movie drama stays with you for days after you see it, but a truly great drama stays with you for weeks, months, even years Anchored by a breathtaking performance by Brie Larson (who won an Oscar for her work), "Room" is a seriously uplifting film that is very tragic and has some very dark scenes, but also shows the power of human connection and the importance of finding that sliver of light to cling to in even the darkest of times
"Room" was one of the critical darlings of 2015, but nearly a decade later, that reputation has faded a bit; hopefully its arrival on Netflix will spark a new wave of interest and the film will once again earn its rightful accolades
So, if you're looking for a really good movie to watch this weekend, here's the full story on why "Room" should be your first choice:
"Room" begins in a small cabin inhabited by a young mother, Joy (Brie Larson), and her five-year-old son, Jack (Jacob Tremblay, also phenomenal) [Joy was kidnapped seven years ago by a man she calls Old Nick (Sean Bridgers), and Jack was the result of a rape by that man
For Jack, the cabin he calls his "room" is the only place in the world where he truly exists, but Joy is blind to the outside world and longs to escape Through desperate maneuvering, the two finally find freedom and Joy is reunited with her family
They are both tested and endure their own struggles as Joy readjusts to life in the world beyond the "room" and Jack tries to understand many new experiences at once But they find solace in each other and endure their hardships together, just as they did when they were confined to the cabin of the same name
"Room" became a critical darling upon its release and has maintained its reputation to this day It currently has a score of 93% from over 315 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score to match it (also 93%) from over 50,000 ratings These high scores are a true testament to its enduring quality
Kevin Marr of The Times of London described the film as a "soul-stirring feel-good weepie," and Richard Roper of the Chicago Sun-Times went even further, declaring that Room is "one of the best films of the decade"
And Susan Wloszczyna of RogerEbertcom said, "'Room' is a soul-stirring celebration of the inexplicable bond between parents and children that can endure even under the most unbearable circumstances" Elise Nafnikian of Slant Magazine called it "a harsh and tender tribute to the creative power of maternal love"
Kyle Smith of the New York Post, on the other hand, gave a rather scathing review of "Room," calling it "dope on a plot level and equally vapid in its psychological portrayal," a personal opinion that may be valid but is, on the whole, unusual
In case we haven't made it clear yet, we strongly recommend adding "Room" to your Netflix watch list
Larson and Tremblay's performances are superb, and even viewers who are not normally into drama may want to give it a shot The first half of the film has the feel of a low-key thriller, with Joy and Jack held captive and attempting to escape
But be forewarned, "Room" tackles some very heavy themes such as depression and intense social isolation, so you definitely need to be in the right mood to watch it Don't expect an easy ride, and things get pretty bleak, but there is always a glimmer of hope that keeps the viewer on their toes until the final bittersweet moment
If you're looking for something to watch after "Room," be sure to check out this charming coming-of-age romantic drama that just appeared on Netflix
Watch "Room" on Netflix now
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