A sensitive story told in a unique way - ***1/2

Shot in 2014, this movie is based on a book by Irish-Canadian playright Emma Donoghue who wrote the screenplay herself.  The book itself won some prestigious awards while the movie has gained the attention of critics and award giving bodies particularly for the exemplary acting by the two main actors in the film.

The story takes you to Jack's (Jacob Tremblay) 5th birthday, celebrating it in the only the only world that he knows which is a shed.  Along with his mother, Joy (Brie Larson) who was abducted by Old Nick (Sean Bridgers)  they survive living in this little shed they call room for 7 years (for Joy) until their survival is challenged when Old Nick lost his job thus giving him difficulty to provide supplies and heat for the mother and son in captivity.

One thing that is unique about this film is that the story does not start in the beginning.  It takes you right in the middle of it and just allows every bit of mystery to unravel giving the audience the freedom to understand how it all began.  But the very strength of this film lies in the performance of Tremblay and Larson. The difficulty and emotional turmoil of a mother trying to raise a child that was born in captivity and the fear and acceptance of a son coping with a world he never knew existed.

Because the story is told thru the eyes and mind of Jack some bits of the story that might have been shocking or more dramatic if seen from the eyes of an adult became subtle and downplayed what could have a dramatic highlight or a shocking revelation.  In effect , it flattens the emotional journey of the audience and making the film a little bland. 

Cinematography and sound collaborate to create a crafty work of art - ****

The film is loosely based on a manuscript of the same title written by Michael Punke.  The development of this project started in August of 2001, but went through a long process until they started filming in October of 2014.  Many people were considered for the main part, from Samuel L.Jackson to Sean Penn and to Christian Bale until the role finally went to Leonardo di Caprio.

Set in the 1800s in Louisiana Purchase when pelts is a major industry,  a group of trappers led by Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) was attacked by native Americans (Arikara) leading the survivors to retreat on foot upon the advice of  Hugh Glass (Leonardo di Caprio). Glass is an experienced hunter who has a half breed son Hawk (Forrest Goodluck) belonging to the Pawnee tribe. Hawk's presence is disconcerting to trapper John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) since he was once partially scalped by native Americans many years prior.  Fitzgerald did Glass a great injustice and the story revolves around Glass' struggle in exacting revenge.

Clearly this was not an easy film to make.  Watching it you wonder how the cast and crew actually even survive the harsh winters of  Canada and the United States.  The director did not want computer generated images to fill up his scenes and the cinematographer wanted natural lighting to get realistic and so they really need to be there where ever the story requires.   This is really a work of art in photography and scenery.  Music and sound also take on an active part in relaying a story.  Scenes are mostly shot in single takes with a wide angle lens to translate width and realism into the screen.

The story is the main reason why I am not giving this film a 5 star rating.  Though the plot is really simple, it also tries to depict the challenges of living around that time in American history, presenting the story as it is but not necessarily taking a stand.  It tries to say a lot of things on the side but not summarily making a point.  Thus rendering it a little pointless.