It was a bit of a surprise that Lenny Abrahamson’s tearjerker, Room, took the audience prize at Toronto. Then again, it did receive a standing ovation. Room was extremely well received at Telluride as well, even with all of the competition there. It was the one film, other than Spotlight, that virtually everyone seemed able to agree upon. One of the things A24 has done really well with Room is keep what it’s really about on the down low. Everyone already knows it’s about a young woman being held captive by a rapist and trying to be a mother and raising a young son. But that is really just the premise. Room is about a lot of things that I won’t spoil for you here except to say that ultimately I think it’s about parenting and what a child can call home. It’s a heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting film and easily one of the best of the year so far. Big congratulations to all involved. Six out of the last seven winners of the audience award at TIFF have gone on to be nominated for Best Picture. The last one to win was 12 Years a Slave.
What’s the deal with freeheld / Julianne / Ellen being completely shut out of your predix? It’s bad?
100% agree with you, Julian. It’s a very REAL problem in the actress fields. Personally I think all of the Lead Actress nominees last year gave perfectly fine performances in subpar films. I’m hoping for much better this year!
Well, Benutty, Julianne Moore won last year for one of the most amateurishly executed films I have seen in recent times (the downright awful ‘Still Alice’), so this is not a new problem…
It’s going to be tough having to stomach a season where a film I disliked as much as I disliked this one stays in the conversation. Larson is perfectly fine in the movie, but it’s yet another case of great work in an okay film. There is absolutely nothing to really grab onto in Room–the pacing dries out any feeling of tension, the first act is incredibly short (choking it of its weight) and the final act (I believe there really are only two acts in the film, which is another problem) is way too long without enough variety.
I mean really, it’s amateur script-writing and unfocused directing. UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH UGH.
I would LOVE to see Lenny Abrahamson snag a Best Director nomination. Frank was awesome, and if this is of commensurate quality, I would be absolutely delighted.
Say Whaaaaaat???
Wow.
This went from ‘ehh, I’ll see it, supposed to be pretty good’ — to — ‘wohh, can’t wait to check it out!’
Happy! Happy! Happy! Indie film is gonna rule the world!! Brie Larson is wonderful. Really excited to see Joan Allen back in the spotlight.
Correction : six (Director, Supporting ActRESS)
Unless it loses traction in dramatic fashion (think Bright Star circa 2009), I think it will have no trouble securing 4 nominations (Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Actress, Supporting Actor), six (Director, Supporting Actor) if it continues to do this well…and I could see it take Actress and Supporting Actor.
bI think we’re going to see Larson’s name pop up a lot with awards coming her way for this performance – I could see her going all the way to Oscar…with handled with the proper care, this win could propel Room into the Best Picture, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor for Tremblay and Adapted Screenplay. This win today was huge today for Room.
Looks like A24 and Open Road will have their first Best Picture nominees this year. Nice to see.
Excellent news. If the film continues to do well and land nominations in the big ones (picture, director, adapted screenplay, lead actress, supporting actor, supporting actress), Brie Larson may just go all the way…and I for one would love to see that happen.
“Everyone already knows it’s about a young woman being held captive by a rapist and trying to be a mother and raising a young son.”
I didn’t but I’m only half paying attention mostly to avoid spoilers. But most people aren’t paying attention at all. It sounds like something that will need a lot of help in a year with lots of big names coming with their titanic Oscar bait.
“ultimately I think it’s about parenting and what a child can call home.”
These types of movies could be great but they don’t necessarily light the Oscar race on fire. I’m thinking of WHAT MAISIE KNEW as I type that. What do you think? Is there a way something like that can get itself pushed forward to be seen by normal folks and more importantly the dreaded Oscar voter who watches their screeners with the fam at the holidays?
Astonished but so happy by this win!