Mr. Movie: ‘Room’ tough to watch, but it’s worth it

Ma — that’s all she’s known by — was 19 when Old Nick kidnapped her, locked her in a modified shed and regularly raped her. We meet Ma when their child Jack turns 5. Ma makes life bearable for Jack by teaching the little boy the whole world exists inside their room, and that what they see on their snowy TV is not real. She calls their universe Room.

Not long into the movie, Ma and Jack escape. But freedom isn’t really freedom, and neither Ma nor Jack are quite ready for reality.

Room’s screenplay is penned by Emma Donoghue, which is based on her acclaimed novel. It’s packed with excellent performances starting with Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated Brie Larson (Trainwreck). She let’s it all hang out and runs up and down the emotional ladder with ease.

It’s a terrific, moody and often an angry performance.

The fulcrum of Larson’s emotional swings is Jack. He’s played by Jacob Tremblay, who picked up a Critics’ Choice award as best newcomer. This is tough work for a young actor and he — like Larson — bounces through a zillion emotions.

Joan Allen plays Ma’s mom Nancy, and William H. Macy plays her father. Neither have ever given a bad performance, and Allen — in particular — is very good as Ma’s patient, imperturbable mom. Tom McCamus plays the movie’s only likable adult character, Nancy’s current husband. He’s terrific and he, too, is a fulcrum. Only in this case, he’s a rock for Jack and gives the kid some balance.

Room is a tough view. Ma and Jack struggle to adapt to real life. Jack’s dilemma is the missing Room and the closed, secure life it offered. She has a different struggle. Questions and queries, stares and even accusations follow the woman who — like her son — just wants to be left alone.

Even more difficult is the uncomfortable way the movie hits home. Modern-day TV, radio broadcasts and newspaper headlines are packed with stories about stolen children and young women, and the agony suffered by their families. Once in a while, the kidnappings have a happy ending. More tragic are those that don’t.

That’s a big part of what makes Room such a tough movie to watch.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 4:54 PM with the headline "Mr. Movie: ‘Room’ tough to watch, but it’s worth it."