Room

True but check the news. Worse has already happened in Ohio.

Alyson Addington

Okay so it had been a while since I actually watched this before I recommended it. I said I thought that the second half dragged a bit and that's why it wasn't on my top 5 list (def. top ten though) However, having rewatched it, I have changed my opinion. I don't think this story would have worked without the slow pacing. It's a movie about abduction and children being stronger than we often give them credit for....but it's also about time, I think. This is going to be a longass review (re-review?) so I'll divide it into two separate comments for my thoughts about each of the principal characters. Thank goodness there are only two that I'm going go in depth about. Before I do that, here's some small details that were in the movie that are explained in the book. Jack says his 'strong' is in his hair. Since there are no scissors in Room (for obvious reasons...if you noticed, in the movie the knife Ma uses to cut up some apples has the sharp point broken off so she couldn't use it as a weapon), his hair has gotten longer and longer. (hence the guy with the dog's referring to him as a little girl) Ma tells Jack the story of Samson from the bible, that he was strong because he had long hair. In the seven years Joy was kept in Room, she had TWO babies. The first one was after she'd been there for a couple of years and Old Nick actually helped her with the delivery, but the baby girl died soon after. (Another thing in the movie people miss is when she accuses Nick of killing her babies, plural.) When Ma is telling Jack that she smashed the toilet tank lid over Old Nick's head and that's why her wrist is sore now, the conversation in the book goes on a bit longer. Jack learns that Ma tried to escape a few times. She 'messed up' the toilet lid attempt because they both fell down and he managed to kick the door shut. She tried to break the skylight but the skylight is made of bulletproof glass. She was so desperate that she actually tried to dig through the concrete floor with a spoon....but there was chainlink under the floor. He'd already thought of that. That's why the "aliens" never scream back. When Joy comes back from the hospital after her suicide attempt, Jack asks "Can I---?" and tugs at her shirt because as explained in the book, he is still breast feeding. It's never explained, but possibly it was to give him more essential vitamins/minerals and compensate for their terrible diet. And it's a bonding thing. There's a very brief clip in the movie of her feeding him in the film while she's telling him a story.....but I can understand why the movie didn't want to go any deeper with that part. Leo (Tom McCamus), had/has been/be A+ parenting skills. He doesn't approach Jack, but lets Jack make the decision on his own time. He treats Jack as an equal instead of a kid. Robert (William Macy) can't bring himself to talk to or even acknowledge Jack because of the whole...Nick thing...with the thing and the...you know what I mean. Who knows if/or when he'll get over that. I don't really have much to say about Nancy (Joan Allen) other than she's good support....she's just kinda "there" Old Nick (Sean Bridgers) I HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO SAY about him, but unfortunately none of them have anything to do with his character. There will be an entirely different comment about THAT. Edit: I got a gown commission last night, so I'll get back to my soliloquy.......whenever I get back to my soliloquy. Sometime. Maybe. Hopefully? Gowns are a pain in the but I needs to pay some bills and stuff just gets more and more expensive >.<

Alyson Addington

Well, anyone can spout foolishness. Doesn't mean such a law will be passed.

I love how tragic this movie is, especially since it doesn’t gloss over the issue with a happy ending. They got out, but that doesn’t mean they’re free. Any other movie would try three escape plans and have it end with breakfast with her parents, but this movie shows the after effects of enduring the trauma. More movies need to be like this: honest and impactful.

AshLand Writer

.........This week there was a Mississippi congressman who says that 12 year old victims of incest should give birth to their own father's r**** baby because it's half the dad's kid. That's how far down American politics have gotten to.

Alyson Addington