In the Bedroom (2001)

In the Bedroom is an exceptional movie with great direction, superior screen writing, and a wonderful cast that includes:Tom Wilkinson (Dr. Matt Fowler) Sissy Spacek (Ruth Fowler) Nick Stahl (Frank Fowler) Marisa Tomei (Natalie Strout) William Mapother (Richard Strout) Karen Allen has a minor role as the defense attorney, Marla KeyesTom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek deliver performances that make the viewer really feel the emotions experienced by the film's characters. The characters are married and must deal with a horrible tragedy.The movie's scenes are mostly short "takes," but they work well, engaging the audience at a high level.

In the Bedroom is a movie that will instantly connect with lovers of film. To those who can only appreciate special effects and movies with lack of plots, stay away from this film. The movie is undoubtedly hard to watch, but it's a powerful, character-driven movie about unforeseen consequences of a tragedy. The film is powerfully acted by underrated actors like Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek. It is movies like these that make me appreciate the art of cinema and storytelling. Todd Field's film is about a college freshman home for the summer who is dating a soon-to-be-divorced mother many years his senior. This relationship causes a rift between his mother and father, especially after a serious tragedy occurs affecting their lives forever. The film has a good cast of underrated and underused actors and I feel like they all did a good job in particular Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek. Spacek shows an emotional side to herself, which is perfectly normal as any mother would show. Wilkinson however keeps a calm reserve state of mind, but the end of the movie is his show. Nick Stahl also did a decent job, and likewise for Marisa Tomei. Overall, In the Bedroom is a slow-moving, but very effective movie that relies upon its characters more than anything else. The film is emotional, but sometimes the film shows different takes on getting to that state of mind. An incredibly strong script as well as fantastic acting makes this film a worthy watch. But beware of the tepid pace, as only serious film-goers may appreciate this kind of pace. My Grade: A

There are two main events in the 2 hours that this movie lasts. Or maybe should I say "thera are BUT 2 events"? Two killings, that's it. One around 40 minutes from the start, one about 15 minutes to the ending.Before, in between and after, there is utter, complete boredom. And no, sorry, the actually wonderful acting alone is not enough to save this yawn of a movie. The first almost 40 minutes are preparatory for what is (rather predictably) going to happen, but there is so little going on that one just wonders why it has to take that long to get to the point. Then it finally happens. In the beginning you start to feel for the characters, for their loss, but after a while it gets so unbearably slow-paced, so redundant, that all tension is released and gives way to what seems to be a never ending humdrum. The film has a sudden flick of emotion when the revenge takes place, but then again, the tension only lasts 10 minutes, and then dead calm again, up to the end. The makers of this movie succeeded in the not easy task of turning a life's tragedy into a slumbery, somnolent confrontation between a few characters, that gets your eyelids heavy sooner than you might like.I see this movie got mostly high grades, I'll rather go upstream and recommend to avoid it. Then again, it's your choice.

First of all, to the 'idjit' who found the flick boring, I award two free tickets to a slasher movie celebration or, a Bugs Bunny cartoon. That will suit his mentality.Question why the R rating? It should have been a PG-13. The story of conflict within the family will hit home to many. The ending may not satisfy some, but I won't go into it it would be a spoiler. Some of the outstanding things are the quick scenes, the close-ups, the beautiful, moody photography.The acting was superb. Spacek is everyone's favorite, Wilkinson was thoroughly convincing as was the entire well-chosen cast, particularly the 'bad' guy.This movie is a gem.