Family Affairs (In The Bedroom (DVD))

Member Name: l-m-n-o-p

Product:	In The Bedroom (DVD)
Date:	22/03/08 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Outstanding performances, extremely powerful

Disadvantages: Slow-paced, drifts towards the end

In The Bedroom is a quality drama examining one family's relationships following a devastating act of violence. Made in 2001, it was nominated for 5 Oscars, for its excellent performances, as well as for Best Picture and Original Screenplay, and it is particularly impressive considering that it was director Todd Field's first film. He has since directed the film Little Children, which was also nominated for awards, and was, according to many, one of 2006's best films.
Matt (Tom Wilkinson) and Ruth (Sissy Spacek) live in New England with their son, Frank (Nick Stahl). He's about to go to college, but his girlfriend (Marisa Tomei) is much older, and comes with two young sons and an abusive ex-husband. Ruth isn't too keen on their relationship, but Matt is happy enough to let them continue. After all, Frank insists that their relationship is not serious, despite the responsibility he has for the two boys.

This is the initial premise of the film, and for the first part we are introduced to these characters, and their situation is set up. However, after one sudden dramatic event, the film takes an entirely different course, and that, I feel, is the most brilliant aspect of this film. It takes you completely off guard, and really shows you how tragedy can strike without warning, and without reason.
So, perhaps this isn't the happiest of films. Indeed, it's a quietly devastating portrayal of grief, and how one event can throw into question the darker issues behind a seemingly happy marriage. It's a film with immense power and heartbreaking believability.

Much of the credit for this has to go to the trio of Wilkinson, Spacek and Tomei for their outstanding, Oscar-nominated performances. They capture the souls of their characters and turn them into real, understandable and believable people. Spacek in particular is marvellous, her character becoming increasingly fragile but with a certain amount of resilience underneath.
The film manages to wring out all the dramatic potential of every scene, but remains subtle and realistic at the same time, with sparing use of background music (although when Thomas Newman's score is heard, it is as good as you might expect from him, and quite unsettling). The violence is presented in a shocking way, in particular the simple sound of a gunshot, which can seem so commonplace and meaningless in films.

Some may not like this film's slow pace - at 130 minutes it does feel slightly drawn-out, especially in the second half. But there are still the occasional moments of intense drama amidst the gentle characterisation, and the performances are captivating throughout. And naturally, if you want a film with a neat, happy ending, or a film that's uplifting and won't make you cry, then this is not the film for you. The closing scene is satisfyingly ambiguous.
However, the film doesn't quite live up to its potential due to its final half hour, which sees the story moving off again in another different direction. The pace really does slow in this section, and although it retains the moody, sombre atmosphere of the rest of the film, I found it too drastic, and it didn't quite fit properly into the film as a whole. Although, like I said, it is redeemed by the excellent conclusion.

Also, Marisa Tomei seems to disappear as the film switches focus, which is a real shame, since her character was possibly the most interesting in the first half. As good as Wilkinson and Spacek are, I think that more scenes with them and Tomei could have added an extra level to the drama.
But aside from these flaws, In The Bedroom is one of the most effective, atmospheric, heartbreaking and certainly one of the best-acted ensemble dramas that I've seen in recent years. Highly recommended.
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I'm reviewing the film only, not the DVD. The cheapest price I could find online is £3.99 from www.play.com.

Directed by: Todd Field

Starring:
Tom Wilkinson ... Matt Fowler
Sissy Spacek ... Ruth Fowler
Marisa Tomei ... Natalie
Nick Stahl ... Frank
William Mapother ... Richard

Classification: 15
Running time: 130 minutes

Production year: 2001
My rating: 8/10

Summary: A heartbreaking, well-acted family drama