Film Review: In the Bedroom

In the Bedroom has garnered a great deal of critical praise. Sissy Spacek has won a Golden Globe for her emotionally charged performance as Ruth Fowler, the mother of a murdered son, and critics predict she will also receive an Oscar nomination and possibly the best actress Oscar. The attention this film has received is absolutely warranted. It is a gripping drama that explores family and romantic relationships, the effects of violent crime, and how the term "criminal justice system" is often a misnomer. In the Bedroom is not the easiest film to sit through. It is disturbing and emotionally-draining. However, the performances are of the highest caliber and the realistic manner in which the film depicts a family in crisis makes it one of the most noteworthy films of the year.

When In the Bedroom, the audience sees a couple in love-a boy chasing a girl through a field and tumbling into each others arms to share a kiss. It seems to be the picture perfect romance, but this opening montage draws a sharp contrast to what unfolds. Almost immediately, the audience discovers there are complications for this romance. The boy, Frank Fowler (Nick Stahl (The Thin Red Line and the upcoming Bully), is only in college and his lover Natalie Strout (Marisa Tomei, ) is much older, has two boys, and, although she is seeking a divorce, is still married to a volatile man who is very resistant to letting go of her (William Mapother). Frank's mother Ruth (Sissy Spacek) disapproves of the relationship, afraid that Frank is getting too serious about Natalie and may throw college and his dreams of being an architect aside for her. Ruth's fears progress when Frank is attacked by Natalie's husband Richard. While both Ruth and Frank's father Matt (Tom Wilkinson, The Full Monty) are concerned about the attack, neither takes any action. The situation comes to a head, however, when Frank attempts to protect Natalie and the boys from Richard, and Richard ends up shooting and killing Frank.

The rest of the movie deals with Ruth and Matt's struggles dealing with the death of their son and the way his case is handled by the criminal justice system. What is remarkable about the performances of Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson is that they both show such a strong emotional range-from numbness right after the murder takes place, to frustration with the criminal justice system, to anger over the situation and with each other, to a final breaking point which both shocks the audience and also comes as no surprise. The screenplay and Todd Field's direction is adept at capturing the various stages of grief and the difficulties in trying to resume normal life after such a tragedy. In the Bedroom provides a realistic look at loss and is highly recommended.

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