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In The Bedroom on DVD (2001)

In The Bedroom cover art
Average rating: 65%
1226620191844
3.0
from 937 members
 
Starring: Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson, Nick Stahl, Marisa Tomei, William Wise, Celia Weston, Karen Allen, William Mapother
Director: Todd Field
Studio: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 126 mins
Certificate: 15
Genres: Drama
Languages: English
Hearing-impaired: English
Subtitles: English
Released: 22/07/2002

Brief synopsis of In The Bedroom

Todd Field's IN THE BEDROOM is an artistic and realistic portrait of domestic trouble in small-town America. Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson star as Ruth and Matt Fowler, the parents of a recent high school graduate, Frank (Nick Stahl), who has an affair with a married woman, Natalie (Marisa Tomei). A tragic event near the beginning of the film seems to stunt its action and dialogue, allowing the film to change into a largely visual piece based on memories, feelings, and silent communication; while the film's slow-moving camera, soft sunny lighting, and cautious pacing give it a resonating intensity.
Set in coastal Maine, the Fowlers are a well-liked family with simple, straightforward values. Dr. Fowler has his own small medical practice. Mrs. Fowler directs the chorus at the high school. Frank is a good kid who is working on the fishing docks for the summer, waiting for college in the fall. Frank falls into a summer romance with Natalie, an older woman with two young sons and a creepy, lurking husband (William Mapother) from whom she is separated. The relationship is worrisome to Mr. and Mrs. Fowler, but they want to be supportive of their son so they gently nudge him to think about the bigger picture, without being overbearing. But when the unthinkable happens, Mr. and Mrs. Fowler come face to face with their worst nightmare. Quietly, calmly, and with the most logic they can muster, they begin a dark and dangerous psychological journey. The result, reinforced by stunning performances from Wilkinson and Spacek, is a pensive, penetrating, and utterly believable story.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

This is a film about grief that touches the heart and leaves a deep and lasting impression. Tom Wilkinson and Golden Globe winner Sissy Spacek are both excellent as the parents swamped by moral and psychological trauma after the murder of their son. Trapped in a claustrophobic community, they live in close proximity to their child's killer — and the woman whose involvement with their son indirectly led to his death — and their intense grief and outrage pushes them to breaking point. The movie's measured pace and elegance of observation are testaments to the astounding confidence of actor/director Todd Field, whose handling of the delicately balanced material makes his feature debut a rare find. In the Bedroom doesn't make for easy viewing, but it is a profound and rewarding experience.

Rating of 2 stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

Compelling drama of marital tensions at breaking point, of parents who have invested their future in their only child; but the violent ending vitiates all that has gone before.

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsFamily life has it's ups and downs...

J Crooks from Manchester , 07/08/2004

This highly emotional drama follows the life of Dr and Mrs Fowler and their son Frank (Stahl), back from his first year at college.

Frank is in love with Natalie (Tomei) and seems happy playing surrogate father to her two children. Their real father (Mapothor), has other ideas, and a final argument between the three of them ends with tragic consequences.

This is not a hollywood epic blockbuster, nor does it try to be. If you have a short concentration span, and like your films full of gritty action and special effects, this is perhaps not one for you.

If, however, you can handle the emotional ride, and appreciate beautiful filming and direction, with outstanding performances from all of the cast, this will do nicely.

  16 out of 16 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsAmazing film - watch it

A customer from London, England , 11/05/2005

5 stars - stunning piece of film making. I would recommend everyone watch this film for a real example of amazing acting, directing and script writing. This film is simple and understated yet one of the most powerful films I've seen for ages. I can't emphasise enough how good the acting was from all the cast and I was really moved by the story. If you're looking to watch an intelligent, thoughful film, pick this one.

  9 out of 9 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 stars

James#158 from DURHAM , 26/10/2004

One of my fave films from the last few years, but my enjoyment of it was undoubtedly enhanced by the fact that I went in having no idea of what it was going to be. It came out around about the same time as the similarly-titled Palme d'Or-winning The Son's Room (least great Cannes-winner ever?) and both have a very similar premise: parents recovering and coming to terms with the death of their only son. Having scene, and been underwhelmed with, The Son's Room first, I was expecting something similar but hopefully better with this. Better yes, similar... no way. Completely took me by surprise in the best possible way. Being vague just in case no-one else knows where this film goes as well. Just watch it and see.

  7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsInteresting Portrait Piece

racheblue from London , 02/02/2005

Good story line. Great characterisation especially from Tom Wilkinson (a genius convincing portayal as always) & Sissy Spacek (whose ethereal quality has only has only improved with time).

  6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starsA gem

A customer from London, United Kingdom , 18/02/2005

All actors play extremely well, this is an undiscovered gem.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsGloomy but good

Pitch from Surrey , 17/05/2005

This film is very sedate in pace and is certainly more than a bit depressing.

However, not everything is Indiana Jones or Scream.

This is about how YOU would cope with the murder of your son. How YOU would feel. Would YOUR feelings for the rest of the family strengthen or weaken.

Tom Wilkinson steals the show. In fact it seems to be set at his acting pace and what a showpiece this is for him.

One sore point. I was hoping for more from the ending. Something uplifting.......somehow, though, you sort of know what will happen next.

  3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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