Reservation Road on DVD (2007)

* * * This review contains spoilers * * *

crockery from Belfast [Highly rated reviewer] , 29/06/2008

Coming up with new and original ideas is getting harder and harder, and 'Reservation Road' works so well because the incidents that are at its core don't strain our belief that they could certainly happen to anyone in the audience. We relate to the story because its emotional core appeals to our basic sensibilities: love and hate; the two forces that keep this world going.

Terry George's movie has some excellent elements, and they are certainly memorable when the performances are this good. Both Mark Ruffalo and Joaquin Phoenix continue growing as performers, and both of them explore the various dimensions of his characters, letting us experience the intensity of the different types of pain their respective characters endure.

Through Ruffalo we witness the torment brought upon by his involvement in a tragic accident that leads to an innocent death. His Dwight unravels slowly before our eyes, and there is compelling evidence in his every gesture, look, reaction that it is certainly one of the worst moments in the life of a man that is eventually going to snap.

Mirroring Dwight's reaction is Phoenix's traumatized father who seeks both revenge and justice and is constantly frustrated by the lack of efficient detective work to find the responsible party. As the film reaches its climax, the level of suffering displayed by Phoenix is eroding his logic and making us gasp as he takes an unbelievable approach to solve the situation.

There are of course, other affected relationships, and the supportive work by Jennifer Connelly helps us witness the domestic disintegration of Phoenix's family. She somehow slowly learns to cope with the loss of their child, and we are witness to her emotional turmoil. Her mind remains lucid and she finds incomprehensible what she notices is happening to her husband. Something is going, and yet she can't understand the intensity of the negative effects on her husband.

The film reminds of 'Little Children' where dark forces seemed to be stronger than logic and compassion. In this one, the thirst for justice evolves into a mad search for revenge and ways to exorcise demands that terrorize us. It's a powerful movie that came a bit short of being perfect, but that holds well because of the exquisite work by all of the performers involved.

  19 out of 19 people found this review helpful

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LiseynSparky from Lincolnshire Wolds [Highly rated reviewer] , 06/08/2008

Rent this film... You won't be disappointed. Sad but compelling

This is a hard film to rate.. It's the story line that does it as it is such a sad and hard hitting one.. All we can say is that the actors are amazing and they make it well worth watching. Mr Phoenix is an incredible actor that can play any part, but he really makes you feel like he is Josh's dad. And Mr Ruffalo certainly lets you see it from the 'bad guys' side... so much so, you kinda feel sorry for him too.

  10 out of 10 people found this review helpful

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Ono from Mexborough [Highly rated reviewer] , 02/09/2008

A little too heavy at times and the film could have done with a little more action.

Thus it dragged towards the end and was thankfull when the credits rolled.

I could not have lasted much longer due to the depressing content throughout the film.

  6 out of 7 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Kirknewton , 20/08/2008

Joaquin is very good in this twisted tale of sorrow

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

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Ono from Mexborough [Highly rated reviewer] , 02/09/2008

A little too heavy at times and the film could have done with a little more action.

Thus it dragged towards the end and was thankfull when the credits rolled.

I could not have lasted much longer due to the depressing content throughout the film.

  6 out of 7 people found this review helpful

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rubbishreview from Northwich [Highly rated reviewer] , 18/11/2008

This is a pretty decent film given that it's a straight to dvd film.

It's a heart string puller on a serious topic which isn't at all impossible in this day and age and could happen to anyone.

It also poses the question of 'what would you do?' not only in the victims shoes but also the offender.

The directorship was a little too quiet but i suppose that conveyed the purpose of the film quicker.

Saying that it ain't great but at the same time it's just about watchable.

Just remember to pay attention because you feel yourself nodding off.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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